Young children who experience high levels preoperative anxiety often exhibit distress behaviors, experience more surgical complications, and are at a higher risk for developing a variety of negative postoperative consequences. A significant factor in pediatric preoperative anxiety is the level of anxiety present in their caregivers. Music therapy interventions addressing a variety of procedural outcomes have been met with success. The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of two music therapy interventions on reducing preoperative anxiety in young pediatric surgical patients and their caregivers. A total of 40 pediatric patient and caregiver dyads were included in this study on various days that they were present for ambulatory surgery. Pediatric preoperative anxiety was measured pre- and post-intervention using the modified Yale Pediatric Anxiety Scale, while caregiver anxiety was measured through self-report using the short form Strait-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y6. Participants received a randomized active or passive preoperative music therapy session. Results indicate a significant reduction in preoperative anxiety for both patients and their caregivers. Neither active, nor passive music therapy interventions were significantly more effective than the other. Future studies should increase sample size and control for various factors such as sedative premedication use.

Thesis (M.Mus.Ther.)--New Zealand School of Music, Wellington, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (M.Mus. (Music Therapy))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Abstract in Afrikaans and English. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (M.Mus. (Music Therapy))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Mus.Ther.)--New Zealand School of Music, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (M.Mus. (Music Therapy))-University of Pretoria, 2003. / Abstract in Afrikaans and English. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Although music therapy work with families has been documented for many years, the focus has remained on techniques and client outcomes rather than therapeutic process. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding and knowledge of the lived experience of music therapists who practice family-based music therapy. This research was conducted within the interpretative phenomenological framework. Three subjects who provided family-based music therapy participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences. Three main interpretative themes emerged from the analysis of the data relative to the therapists’ expressed experience of their work with families: perseverance, resilience, and faith in the process. Discussion of the results, strengths and limitations of the study, and implications for training and further research are presented. / February 2016

abstract: ABSTRACT Two qualitative studies described the effects of parent's participation in the music therapy session on parent-child interaction during home-based musical experiences learned in music therapy session. Home-based musical play was based on two current programs: Sing & Grow (Abad & Williams, 2007; Nicolson, 2008 Abad, 2011; Williams, et al; 2012) and Musical Connection Programme(Warren & Nugent, 2010). The researcher utilized the core elements of these programs, such as session structures and parenting strategies for improving parent-child interaction during music therapy interventions. Several questions emerged as a result of these case studies as follows 1) does parent's participation affect parent-child interaction during music therapy interventions 2) does musical parenting strategies promote parent-child interaction while practicing musical play at home 3) does parent's interaction increase when they practice parental strategies listed on parent's self-check list. Music therapy session was provided once per week during an eight week period. The participants were referred by Arizona State University (ASU) music therapy clinic. Sessions took place either in the ASU music therapy treatment room or the participant's home. There were four participants- one diagnosed with Down syndrome and the other with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and two parents or caregivers (each subject was counted as one participant). The parent/caregiver filled out the parental self-checklist 3-4 times per week and the survey after the end of the program. The case study materials were gathered through with parent/caregiver. The case studies revealed that all of the parents responded that the parent's participation in music therapy helped to improve their interactions with their child. Furthermore, all parents became more responsive in interacting with their child through musical play, such as sing-a-long and movements. Second, musical parenting strategies encouraged parent-child interaction when practicing musical play at home. Third, the parent's self-checklist was shown to be effective material for increasing positive parent-child interaction. The self-checklist reminded the parents to practice using strategies in order to promote interaction with their child. Overall, it was found that the parent's participation in home-based musical play increased parent-child interaction and the musical parenting strategies enhanced parent-child interaction. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.M. Music Therapy 2013

abstract: Wellness in the workplace is a significant concern for many companies as employees experience both physical and mental health issues based on the environment in which they work. Both sedentary behavior and job-related stress, which may cooccur, are associated with the development of chronic disease, occupational stress, absenteeism/presenteeism in the workplace, increased employee turnover, and ultimately higher health care costs for companies. The development and implementation of workplace health promotion programs (WHPPs) is a popular, and at times, highly successful option to mitigate these issues. Yet, even when companies offer WHPPs, there still tends to be a lack of overall awareness, participation, and sustained engagement. Existing research regarding recreational music making (RMM) in the workplace and music therapy to improve wellness may serve to support the development of music therapy-based WHPPs as an effective solution. The evidence-based field of music therapy is an established health profession that uses music interventions to assist individuals in achieving their non-musical goals. This clinical project serves to highlight existing literature in support of the development of music therapy-based WHPPS. Furthermore, by tethering the tenets of previously successful WHPPs, the basic principles of collectivism, and the structural underpinnings of community music therapy, this clinical project offers evidence-based experientials and assessment tools for future implementation. Treatment domains addressed are physiological and psychosocial. Proposed goals include increased opportunity for physical activity, increased opportunity for stress-reduction and relaxation, and increased opportunity for social interaction among participants. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Music Therapy 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine whether listening to motivational music prior to performing leg extensions and flexions effected peak torque performance. Participants included 23 adults between the ages 18 and 48 years. Participants engaged in three sets of leg extensions and flexions utilizing a Cybex Humac NORM system following a warm-up period consisting of listening to either researcher-selected music, self-selected music, and in silence. Two one-way ANOVAs comparing participants’ data showed significant results in leg flexions performed following warm-up while listening to self-selected music. Significant results were not achieved for leg extensions yet a similar trend was seen providing evidence that listening to self-selected music before performing activities increased level of performance.