International Hypnosis Research Institute - Music Therapy

Harmony, Rhythms, and Sound

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:43:00 -0500

by Tim Brunson, PhD The words harmonize and harmony are used to describe the adaptation process. Pattern encoding involves intensity and timing, much like that experienced with sound and music. Wayne Perry, a sound therapist in California, (2007), adds insight as he expands this concept into that of rhythm and sound. He sums up these natural tendencies by saying:

Every form of life has its own unique rhythms and cycles that determine its habits and characteristics. For example, insects such as bees, hornets, and locusts fly in swarms; schools of fish swim together, almost as one; geese fly together, locked in a V-formation. In the past, scientists thought this was due to a leader with more intelligence or experience. Now we know these habits are directed by entrainment. (Perry, 2007, p. 204)

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Neural correlates of music recognition in Down syndrome.

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:38:00 -0500

The brain mechanisms that subserve music recognition remain unclear despite increasing interest in this process. Here we report the results of a magnetoencephalography experiment to determine the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of brain regions activated during listening to a familiar and unfamiliar instrumental melody in control adults and adults with Down syndrome (DS). In the control group, listening to the familiar melody relative to the unfamiliar melody, revealed early and significant activations in the left primary auditory cortex, followed by activity in the limbic and sensory-motor regions and finally, activation in the motor related areas. In the DS group, listening to the familiar melody relative to the unfamiliar melody revealed increased significant activations in only three regions. Activity began in the left primary auditory cortex and the superior temporal gyrus and was followed by enhanced activity in the right precentral gyrus. These data suggest that familiar music is associated with auditory-motor coupling but does not activate brain areas involved in emotional processing in DS. These findings reveal new insights on the neural basis of music perception in DS as well as the temporal course of neural activity in control adults. Brain Cogn. 2012 Dec 27;81(2):256-262. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2012.11.007. Virji-Babul N, Moiseev A, Sun W, Feng T, Moiseeva N, Watt KJ, Huotilainen M. Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: nvb31@mail.ubc.ca.

Effects of music therapy and guided visual imagery on chemotherapy-induced anxiety..

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:36:00 -0500

Full title: Effects of music therapy and guided visual imagery on chemotherapy-induced anxiety and nausea-vomiting. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To reveal the effects of music therapy and visual imagery on chemotherapy-induced anxiety and nausea-vomiting. BACKGROUND: Behavioural techniques such as music therapy and visual imagery are becoming increasingly important in dealing with chemotherapy-induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting. DESIGN: The study is an experimental and cross-sectional one and performed on a single sample group with the pre-post-test design consisting of 40 individuals. The individuals in the sample group comprised both the control and the case group of the study. METHODS: To obtain the study data, the following forms were used: the Personal Information Form, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The Visual Analogue Scale and Individual Evaluation Form for Nausea and Vomiting adapted from The Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Vomiting. RESULTS: In the study, the participants' state and trait anxiety levels decreased significantly (p < 0·05). Music therapy and visual imagery reduced the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting significantly (p < 0·05). In our research, 40% of the patients did not have anticipatory nausea and 55% of the patients did not have anticipatory vomiting during the third chemotherapy cycle during which music therapy and guided visual imagery were implemented. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that complementary approaches comprising music therapy and visual imagery had positive effects on chemotherapy-induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting, which are suffered too often and affect the patients' whole lives adversely. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study is worthy of interest as it has revealed that music therapy and visual imagery which have been proven to be effective in many health problems in different areas are also important, and practical complementary approaches that are effective in getting chemotherapy-induced anxiety, nausea and vomiting under control. J Clin Nurs. 2013 Jan;22(1-2):39-50. doi: 10.1111/jocn.12030. Epub 2012 Nov 8. Karagozoglu S, Tekyasar F, Yilmaz FA. Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, Division of Nursing, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Health Science, Sivas.

Effects of music therapy and guided visual imagery on chemotherapy-induced anxiety..

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:36:00 -0500

Cardiovascular effects of music by entraining cardiovascular autonomic rhythms music therapy...

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 16:38:00 -0500

Full title: Cardiovascular effects of music by entraining cardiovascular autonomic rhythms music therapy update: tailored to each person, or does one size fit all? Music goes back a very long way in human experience. Music therapy is now used in many disparate areas-from coronary care units to rehabilitation after a stroke. But its widespread adoption has a poor scientific evidence base, founded more on enthusiasm than on proper evaluation in any controlled way. This has led to a lack of clarity about whether any particular type of music is superior, or whether different types of music should be tailored to differing individuals. We therefore conducted a series of controlled studies in which we examined the effects of different styles of music-from raga to jazz-presented in random order to normal young subjects (both musically trained or not). We found that contrary to many beliefs the effect of a style of music was similar in all subjects, whatever their individual music taste. We also found that this effect appeared to operate at a sub-conscious level through the autonomic nervous system. Furthermore, musical or verbal phrases of a 10 s duration (which coincided with the normal circulatory 'Mayer' waves) induced bigger excursions in blood pressure and heart rate (reciprocal of pulse interval) and so triggered more vagal slowing and feelings of calm. These findings need to now be tested in the clinical setting since, if confirmed, this would greatly simplify the practical use of this promising tool. Neth Heart J. 2012 Dec 6. Sleight P. Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, peter.sleight@attglobal.net.

Pleasant music improves visual attention in patients with unilateral neglect after stroke.

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:35:00 -0500

Objective: To investigate whether listening to pleasant music improves visual attention to and awareness of contralesional stimuli in patients with unilateral neglect after stroke. Methods: A within-subject design was used with 19 participants with unilateral neglect following a right hemisphere stroke. Participants were tested in three conditions (pleasant music, unpleasant music and white noise) within 1 week. All musical pieces were chosen by the participants. In each condition, participants were asked to complete three sub-tests of the Behavioural Inattention Test (the Star Cancellation Test, the Line Bisection Test and the Picture Scanning test) and a visual exploration task with everyday scenes. Eye movements in the visual exploration task were recorded simultaneously. Mood and arousal induced by different auditory stimuli were assessed using visual analogue scales, heart rate and galvanic skin response. Results: Compared with unpleasant music and white noise, participants rated their moods as more positive and arousal as higher with pleasant music, but also showed significant improvement on all tasks and eye movement data, except the Line Bisection Test. Conclusion: The findings suggest that pleasant music can improve visual attention in patients with unilateral neglect after stroke. Additional research using randomized controlled trials is required to validate these findings. Brain Inj. 2013;27(1):75-82. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2012.722255. Chen MC, Tsai PL, Huang YT, Lin KC. Department of Occupational Therapy, National Cheng Kung University , Tainan , Taiwan.

Effect of oriental medicine music therapy on patients with Hwa-byung...

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 17:54:00 -0500

Full title: Effect of oriental medicine music therapy on patients with Hwa-byung: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Hwa-byung, a Korean culture-bound syndrome with both psychological and somatic symptoms, is also known as 'anger syndrome'. It includes various physical symptoms including anxiety, a feeling of overheating, a sensation of pressure on the chest, heart palpitations, respiratory stuffiness, insomnia, and anxiety.Methods/designThe proposed study is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with two parallel arms: an oriental medicine music therapy (OMMT) group and a control music therapy (CMT) group. In total, 18 patients will be enrolled into the trial. The first visit will be the screening visit. At baseline (visit 2), all participants fulfilling both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria will be split and randomly divided into two equal groups: the OMMT and the CMT (n = 24 each). Each group will receive treatment sessions over the course of 4 weeks, twice per week, for eight sessions in total. The primary outcome is the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the secondary outcomes are the Hwa-byung scale (H-scale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Hwa-byung visual analogue scale (H-VAS) for primary symptoms, the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), and levels of salivary cortisol. Patients will be asked to complete questionnaires at the baseline visit (visit 2), after the last treatment session (visit 9), and at 4 weeks after the end of all trial sessions (visit 10). From the baseline (visit 2) through the follow-up (visit 10), the entire process will take a total of 53 days. DISCUSSION: This proposed study targets patients with Hwa-byung, especially those who have exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Therefore, the primary outcome is set to measure the level of anxiety. OMMT is music therapy combined with traditional Korean medicinal theories. Unlike previously reported music therapies, for which patients simply listen to music passively, in OMMT, patients actively move their bodies and play the music. Because Hwa-byung is caused by an accumulation of blocked emotions and anger inside the body, OMMT, because of its active component, is expected to be more efficacious than pre-existing music therapies.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN11939282. Trials. 2012 Sep 11;13(1):161. Park JS, Park S, Cheon CH, Jang BH, Lee SH, Chung SY, Kim JW, Jeon CY, Park JH, Shin YC, Ko SG.

Music education for improving reading skills in children and adolescents with dyslexia.

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:59:00 -0500

Dyslexia (or developmental dyslexia or specific reading disability) is a specific learning disorder that has a neurobiological origin. It is marked by difficulties with accurate or fluent recognition of words and poor spelling in people who have average or above average intelligence and these difficulties cannot be attributed to another cause, for example, poor vision, hearing difficulty, or lack of socio-environmental opportunities, motivation, or adequate instruction. Studies have correlated reading skills with musical abilities. It has been hypothesized that musical training may be able to remediate timing difficulties, improve pitch perception, or increase spatial awareness, thereby having a positive effect on skills needed in the development of language and literacy. To study the effectiveness of music education on reading skills (that is, oral reading skills, reading comprehension, reading fluency, phonological awareness, and spelling) in children and adolescents with dyslexia. We searched the following electronic databases in June 2012: CENTRAL (2012, Issue 5), MEDLINE (1948 to May Week 4 2012 ), EMBASE (1980 to 2012 Week 22), CINAHL (searched 7 June 2012), LILACS (searched 7 June 2012), PsycINFO (1887 to May Week 5 2012), ERIC (searched 7 June 2012), Arts and Humanities Citation Index (1970 to 6 June 2012), Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Social Sciences and Humanities (1990 to 6 June 2012), and WorldCat (searched 7 June 2012). We also searched the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and reference lists of studies. We did not apply any date or language limits. We planned to include randomized controlled trials. We looked for studies that included at least one of our primary outcomes. The primary outcomes were related to the main domain of the reading: oral reading skills, reading comprehension, reading fluency, phonological awareness, and spelling, measured through validated instruments. The secondary outcomes were self esteem and academic achievement. Two authors (HCM and RBA) independently screened all titles and abstracts identified through the search strategy to determine their eligibility. For our analysis we had planned to use mean difference for continuous data, with 95% confidence intervals, and to use the random-effects statistical model when the effect estimates of two or more studies could be combined in a meta-analysis. We retrieved 851 references via the search strategy. No randomized controlled trials testing music education for the improvement of reading skills in children with dyslexia could be included in this review. There is no evidence available from randomized controlled trials on which to base a judgment about the effectiveness of music education for the improvement of reading skills in children and adolescents with dyslexia. This uncertainty warrants further research via randomized controlled trials, involving a interdisciplinary team: musicians, hearing and speech therapists, psychologists, and physicians. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Aug 15;8:CD009133. Cogo-Moreira H, Andriolo RB, Yazigi L, Ploubidis GB, Brandão de Ávila CR, Mari JJ. Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. hugocogobr@gmail.com.

Group music therapy for patients with persistent post-traumatic stress disorder ...

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:58:00 -0500

Full title: Group music therapy for patients with persistent post-traumatic stress disorder - an exploratory randomized controlled trial with mixed methods evaluation. Objectives. Not all patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) respond to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Literature suggests group music therapy might be beneficial in treating PTSD. However, feasibility and effectiveness have not been assessed. The study objectives were to assess whether group music therapy was feasible for patients who did not respond to CBT, and whether it has an effect on PTSD symptoms and depression. Design. The study employed mixed methods comprising of an exploratory randomized controlled trial, qualitative content analysis of therapy, and patient interviews. Method. Patients with significant PTSD symptoms (n= 17) following completion of CBT were randomly assigned to treatment (n= 9) or control groups (n= 8). The treatment group received 10 weeks of group music therapy after which exit interviews were conducted. Control group patients were offered the intervention at the end of the study. Symptoms were assessed on the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and Beck Depression Inventory II at the beginning and end of treatment. Results. Treatment-group patients experienced a significant reduction in severity of PTSD symptoms (-20.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [-31.23, -9.12]) and a marginally significant reduction in depression (-11.92; 95%CI: [-24.05, 0.21]) at 10 weeks from baseline compared to the control. Patients viewed music therapy as helpful and reported experiences concur with current literature. Conclusions. Group music therapy appears feasible and effective for PTSD patients who have not sufficiently responded to CBT. Limitations include the small sample size and lack of blinding. Further research should address these limitations, test sustainability, and identify specific factors that address symptoms in treatment. Psychol Psychother. 2012 Jun;85(2):179-202. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8341.2011.02026.x. Epub 2011 Jun 20. Carr C, d'Ardenne P, Sloboda A, Scott C, Wang D, Priebe S. East London Foundation NHS Trust, London, UK Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Queen Mary, University of London Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, UK London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

Music-based intervention in children.

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:55:00 -0500

Music-based interventions with children are an effective method in health and sickness treatment and in education systems. The engagement with music enables positive transfer effects on extra-musical developmental domains. Music therapy was applied primarily as a practically-oriented scientific discipline both within the framework of a multi-modal therapy approach as one treatment component and focused specifically on children with emotional disorders within a somatic therapy concept and in rehabilitation. The following narrative overview will present music therapy's working basis, treatment goals, and select outcome research in children from 2005-2010. There currently exists a substantial lack, even within empirical research, in relation to the application of music therapy to children. This is an opportunity to initiate a broad range of study for the future. Current challenges and opportunities in scientific, music-based intervention in the paediatric population lie in the concretization of differential indications (both in intervention approach and duration), replicable comparative therapy (alternated treatment-design), the application of a music-therapeutic placebo requirement, as well as in the verification and analysis of specific music therapeutic mechanisms. Prax Kinderpsychol Kinderpsychiatr. 2012;61(4):235-54. Kiese-Himmel C. Phoniatrisch/Pädaudiologische Psychologie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Waldweg, Göttingen. ckiese@med.uni-goettingen.de

Music Therapy Research in the NICU: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:57:00 -0500

Purpose: To provide an overview of developmental and medical benefits of music therapy for preterm infants.Design: Meta-analysis.Sample: Empirical music studies with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Main Outcome: Evidence-based NICU music therapy (NICU -MT ) was highly beneficial with an overall large significant effect size (Cohen's d = 0.82). Effects because of music were consistently in a positive direction.Results: Results of the current analysis replicated findings of a prior meta-analysis and included extended use of music.1 Benefits were greatest for live music therapy (MT ) and for use early in the infant's NICU stay (birth weight <1,000 g, birth postmenstrual age <28 weeks). Results justify strong consideration for the inclusion of the following evidence-based NICU -MT protocols in best practice standards for NICU treatment of preterm infants: music listening for pacification, music reinforcement of sucking, and music pacification as the basis for multilayered, multimodal stimulation. Neonatal Netw. 2012 Sep 1;31(5):311-6. Standley J.

Auditory stimulation and cardiac autonomic regulation.

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:56:00 -0500

Previous studies have already demonstrated that auditory stimulation with music influences the cardiovascular system. In this study, we described the relationship between musical auditory stimulation and heart rate variability. Searches were performed with the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: "auditory stimulation", "autonomic nervous system", "music" and "heart rate variability". The selected studies indicated that there is a strong correlation between noise intensity and vagal-sympathetic balance. Additionally, it was reported that music therapy improved heart rate variability in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients. It was hypothesized that dopamine release in the striatal system induced by pleasurable songs is involved in cardiac autonomic regulation. Musical auditory stimulation influences heart rate variability through a neural mechanism that is not well understood. Further studies are necessary to develop new therapies to treat cardiovascular disorders. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012 Aug;67(8):955-8. Valenti VE, Guida HL, Frizzo AC, Cardoso AC, Vanderlei LC, Abreu LC. Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Marília, SP, Brazil.

The effect of music-movement therapy on physical and psychological states of stroke patients.

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:54:00 -0500

Aims and objectives. This study evaluated the effects of combined music-movement therapy on physical and psychological functioning of hospitalised stroke patients. Background. Few studies have focused on music-movement therapy's effects on physical and psychological functioning of stroke patients. Design. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests was used. Methods. A convenience sample was used: patients hospitalised for stroke and within two weeks of the onset of stroke were randomised to either an experimental group (received music-movement therapy in their wheelchairs for 60 minutes three times per week for 8 weeks) or control group (received only routine treatment). The effect of music-movement therapy was assessed in terms of physical outcomes (range of motion, muscle strength and activities of daily living) and psychological outcomes (mood states, depression), measured in both groups pre- and post-test. Results. The experimental group had significantly increased shoulder flexion and elbow joint flexion in physical function and improved mood state in psychological function, compared with the control group. Conclusions. Early rehabilitation of hospitalised stroke patients within two weeks of the onset of stroke was effective by using music-movement therapy. It improved their mood state and increased shoulder flexion and elbow joint flexion. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings of this study suggest that rehabilitation for stroke patients should begin as early as possible, even during their hospitalisation. Nursing practice should incorporate the concept of combining music and movements to improve stroke patients' physical and psychological states starting from the acute phase. J Clin Nurs. 2012 Sep 17. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04243.x. Jun EM, Roh YH, Kim MJ. Authors: Eun-Mi Jun, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing Science, Dong-eui University, Busan; Young Hwa Roh, BSN, RN, Nurse, Department of Nursing, Medwill Rehabilitation Hospital, Busan, Korea; Mi Ja Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, UIC College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA.

Music Therapy Modulates Fronto-Temporal Activity in Rest-EEG in Depressed Clients.

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 17:52:00 -0500

Fronto-temporal areas process shared elements of speech and music. Improvisational psychodynamic music therapy (MT) utilizes verbal and musical reflection on emotions and images arising from clinical improvisation. Music listening is shifting frontal alpha asymmetries (FAA) in depression, and increases frontal midline theta (FMT). In a two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 79 depressed clients (with comorbid anxiety), we compared standard care (SC) versus MT added to SC at intake and after 3 months. We found that MT significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms. The purpose of this study is to test whether or not MT has an impact on anterior fronto-temporal resting state alpha and theta oscillations. Correlations between anterior EEG, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A), power spectral analysis (topography, means, asymmetry) and normative EEG database comparisons were explored. After 3 month of MT, lasting changes in resting EEG were observed, i.e., significant absolute power increases at left fronto-temporal alpha, but most distinct for theta (also at left fronto-central and right temporoparietal leads). MT differed to SC at F7-F8 (z scored FAA, p < .03) and T3-T4 (theta, p < .005) asymmetry scores, pointing towards decreased relative left-sided brain activity after MT; pre/post increased FMT and decreased HADS-A scores (r = .42, p < .05) indicate reduced anxiety after MT. Verbal reflection and improvising on emotions in MT may induce neural reorganization in fronto-temporal areas. Alpha and theta changes in fronto-temporal and temporoparietal areas indicate MT action and treatment effects on cortical activity in depression, suggesting an impact of MT on anxiety reduction. Brain Topogr. 2012 Sep 16. Fachner J, Gold C, Erkkilä J. Department of Music, Finnish Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland, jorg.fachner@jyu.fi.

Adolescents' perceptions of music therapy following spinal fusion surgery.

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:51:00 -0500

Aims and objectives. To explore adolescents' memories about music therapy after spinal fusion surgery and their recommendations for future patients. Background. Spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is one of the most painful surgeries performed. Music therapy is shown to decrease postoperative pain in children after minor surgery. In preparation for developing a preoperative information program, we interviewed adolescents who had spinal fusion and postoperative music therapy to find out what they remembered and what they recommended for future patients. Methods. Eight adolescents who had spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were interviewed about their experiences. For this qualitative study, the investigators independently used thematic analysis techniques to formulate interpretive themes. Together they discussed their ideas and assigned overall meanings to the information. Results. The eight participants were 13-17 years of age and had surgery between 2-24 months previously. The overarching themes identified from the interviews were relaxation and pain perception, choice and control, therapist interaction and preoperative information. Participants stated that music therapy helped with mental relaxation and distraction from pain. It was important to be able to choose the type of music for the therapy and to use self-control to focus on the positive. Their recommendation was that future patients should be provided with information preoperatively about music therapy and pain management. Participants recommended a combination of auditory and visual information, especially the experiences of previous patients who had spinal fusion and music therapy. Conclusion. Music provided live at the bedside by a music therapist was remembered vividly and positively by most of the participants. Relevance to clinical practice. The presence of a music therapist providing patient-selected music at the bedside is important. Methods to introduce adolescents to music therapy and how to use music for relaxation should be developed and tested. J Clin Nurs. 2012 Sep 18. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2012.04248.x. Kleiber C, Adamek MS. Authors: Charmaine Kleiber, PhD, RN, FAAN, Associate Professor, University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA; Mary S Adamek, PhD, MT-BC, Clinical Professor and Director of Music Therapy, School of Music, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.