Masters Theses
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Item Ring My Bell: Experiences as a Music Therapist, Cancer Patient, and Survivor(2023) Davidson, KahlilahWhile music can be found to enhance many aspects of the medical environment, even by a caring staff of non-music therapists (Zhang et al., 2018), music should be considered a treatment modality by any clinician who introduces it in the medical environmen.t Clinicians should continue take steps to stay well-informed on the evidence, supporting benefits, and potential harm of the uses of all integrative treatment approaches, including music therapy, as the field continues to evolve and new research continues to explore the effects of music on emotion in patients with cancer (Kievisiene et al., 2020). The purpose of this study was to examine my experiences as a music therapist receiving cancer treatments accompanied by music that was not my choice. This study is an autoethnographic inquiry. Through a process of examination and reflection, data was gathered from “real-time” journal entries documented in and around the time an adverse emotional and physical reactions were observed during radiation treatment while listening to music that was not my personal preference. The autoethnography process is discussed and suggestions for further research are offered.Item Handling Crises on Inpatient Mental Health Units: How Music Therapy Influences the Process of De-escalation(2022) Castro-Pacheco, MelaniePatients in psychiatric facilities with severe mental health symptoms may endanger the safety of themselves or others. Healthcare staff may utilize de-escalation techniques and crisis management skills to resolve the conflict. However, if these methods are ineffective physical restraints are used to restrict the patient’s movement and prevent further injury. The use of physical restraints in psychiatric facilities has raised ethical concerns. Recent studies have shown that restraints may be traumatic and countertherapeutic for the patient. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how music therapy influences the process of de-escalation for adults receiving care on inpatient mental health units. Three music therapists described their experiences of using music to de-escalate a psychiatric patient in one individual interview. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using the procedures and techniques of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. These interviews provided detailed and insightful accounts demonstrating the successful use of music therapy as a de-escalation technique. The participants described a de-escalation scenario from their clinical work including patient symptoms, music therapy techniques, and the patient’s response to music therapy. Thematic material related to the interaction between each participant and their patient, benefits of rapport, and the musical behaviors of each patient were extracted from the data. The results revealed that music therapy can significantly improve the process of de-escalation. Music therapy allowed the patients to play an active role in the de-escalation process. Each patient was encouraged to participate in musical interactions that promoted self-regulation and self-expression. The effectiveness of music therapy as a de-escalation technique can be used to reduce the use of physical restraints.Item Music Therapy as Preventative Mental Healthcare with the Oceti Sakowin Oyate(2022) Donahoe, EllynIndigenous populations in the United States have an alarming rate of mental health concerns compared to other populations of similar ages in their geographical locations (Freeman et al. 2016; O’Keefe et al., 2018). Music therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment in mental healthcare. The growing trend in mental healthcare is preventative medicine (American College of Preventive Medicine, 2019). Central to preventative mental healthcare is the identification and utilization of protective factors; a key factor of these is sense of identity within one’s culture (Coll et al., 2012). This project was developed as a guide to a community music therapy approach to preventative mental healthcare that highlights the connection to traditional music and healing practices performed by experts within the community. An 8-session music therapy program plan includes music therapy interventions that are designed to focus on the strengths of the community and their leaders while providing psychoeducational factors communicated by board-certified music therapists.Item Outpatient Appointments for Autistic Children: Music-Based Resources for Non-Music Therapists(2022) Rose, GuinevereAutistic children often exhibit hyperarousal and dysregulation when attending medical and therapy appointments (South & Rodgers, 2017). Researchers have shown that music therapy can be an effective modality in working with autistic individuals (Carpente et al., 2021; Chanda & Levitin, 2013; Carpentier & Potter, 2007; Gebauer et al., 2014; LaGasse, 2018; Lory et al., 2020; Simpson & Keen, 2011). More specifically, music therapy in the form of rhythmic entrainment has been shown to promote positive change of arousal levels and regulatory behaviors in autistic individuals (Berger 2012; Orr & Myles; 1998; Hardy & LaGasse, 2013). While music therapy has been demonstrated through research to be a valuable service in dealing with these challenges, there is a gap in literature regarding usable resources. At the Memorial Outpatient Pediatric Therapy Department in Marietta, Ohio, young autistic children are seen for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. It was reported that due to hyperarousal and dysregulation, efficacy of sessions was frequently delayed and/or diminished. This project was developed in response, and music-based resources were created for the purpose of lowering arousal levels and increasing on-task focus. Based on music therapy research and experience, the four resources were developed to be used primarily by the non-music therapists involved in this setting. One ‘Therapy Time!’ transition song was composed and recorded in video format to assist in preparation for therapy sessions. Three additional recordings were produced at 60 beats per minute, one of drumming, flute, and guitar, each approximately ten minutes in length. All four resources are accessible via YouTube for use by therapists, caregivers, and autistic children. Instructions, accompanying visual aids, and links of resources are included within project.Item Experiences of Music Therapists of Color Working with Autistic Individuals of Color(2022) Robinson, KazukoLiterature discussing the perceptions of racially/ethnically diverse music therapists is limited. This preliminary study aimed to explore the racialized experiences of music therapists of color who had experience working with autistic individuals with racially marginalized identities. For this study, three self-identified music therapists of color were interviewed. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data retrieved from the interviews. The following four themes emerged: racialized experiences of music therapists of color, lack of education/professional training, perception of intersectionality and anti-oppressive framework, and lack of preparedness of the music therapy profession and recommendations. The findings demonstrated that music therapists of color experience racial/ethnic marginalization in their daily life in the music therapy field. The findings also suggested that the music therapy profession needs more diverse voices. Recommendations for the music therapy field and education, and for future research, were presented.