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The goal of this study was to explore the potential of using video games with binaural beats as an alternative to regular binaural beat therapy. As previous studies have shown, music therapy, binaural beat therapy, and video games have been used for relaxation purposes to varying success. To prove this, three types of therapies were held in order to test their effectiveness. 16 students participated in the test in which their goal was to partake in one of the three therapy sessions, with two interviews before and after the therapy session. The results showed that a video game therapy with binaural beats could work as an alternative to a standard music therapy session, and that the binaural beats improved the relaxing factor in a video game. However, this area of study is quite new, which means more studies would be needed to ascertain the effectiveness of this kind of therapy. / <p>Det finns övrigt digitalt material (t.ex. film-, bild- eller ljudfiler) eller modeller/artefakter tillhörande examensarbetet som ska skickas till arkivet.</p>

The effect of group improvisational music therapy on depression in adolescents and adults with substance abuse was investigated. It was hypothesized that group improvisational music therapy would relieve depressive symptoms. Twenty-four Spanish-speaking patients receiving outpatient and inpatient treatment for substance abuse at Fundación José Felix Ribas (FJFR), located in Mérida State-Venezuela participated in the study. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) before being randomly assigned to experimental or control groups, each consisting of three cohort groups recruited over a nine month period. The experimental group received 12 group improvisation sessions over a three-month period, along with the standard treatment program provided at the facility, and the control group received only the standard treatment program. Post-test measures were completed at the end of each three-month treatment cycle. Differences between groups in pre-test and post-test scores were calculated using the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results showed that both groups were equally matched on all pretest measures. As for post-test measures, significant differences were found between the groups on HRSD, but not the BDI. The experimental group was significantly less depressed after treatment than the control group, as measured by the HRSD. Improvisational music therapy led to statistically significant greater improvements in psychologist-rated depression (HRSD) when compared to the regular treatment program alone; although no statistical differences were found in the improvements on the BDI between the two treatments, improvisational music therapy had a clinically significant effect. Possible explanations are offered. The most important limitations of the study were the small sample size, absence of a depression assessment tool specifically for substance abuse, and the use of the first version of the BDI instead of the second version as well as lack of information on demographic and clinical data. / Music Therapy

Several studies have investigated the psychosocial impact of breast cancer, however, there is a paucity of research examining interventions geared towards breast cancer survivors. This study investigated the effects of group music psychotherapy on improving the self-concept of breast cancer survivors. Eleven breast cancer survivors where randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups - group music psychotherapy or a cognitive behavioral based support group. Pre and post intervention comparisons were made using the Body Image After Breast Cancer Scale and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale on measures of identity, role performance, self-esteem, and body image. After ten weeks, results from the Wilcoxon U test indicated participants in the music psychotherapy group significantly improved on measures on identity, family role relationships, self-esteem, and body image. Furthermore, as compared to participants in the cognitive behavioral support group, participants in group music psychotherapy improved on measures of identity, role relationships, and body image. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. / Music Therapy

The prevalence of dementia, a progressive and degenerative syndrome, increases dramatically with age (Alzheimer’s Disease International, n.d.), and it is critical to develop effective strategies and evidence-based interventions to improve the quality of life for persons with dementia (Crespo, Hornillos, & De Quirós, 2013; Vink, Birks, Bruinsma, & Scholten, 2004). Music therapy has drawn attention as a promising non-pharmacological approach for individuals with dementia (Brotons, 2000; Vink et al., 2004). A variety of music interventions have been widely applied for dementia care not only by music therapists, but also by other healthcare professionals. Among those interventions, singing and listening are utilized most frequently. The purpose of the current study was to compare the short-term effects of two music interventions, including a music therapy-singing group and a music medicine-listening group, as well as a control-TV group, on quality of life and positive and negative affect of persons with dementia at a long-term care facility. Fifty-two participants, ranging in age from 63 to 99 years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups, and thirty-seven completed the interventions. The participants in each group were engaged for a 40-minute session twice a week for four consecutive weeks. The music therapy-singing group was facilitated by a music therapist, whereas the music medicine-listening and the control-TV group were led by nursing home activity assistants. Quality of life was measured at baseline and after the last session. Only the MT-singing group demonstrated significant improvements when compared to the other groups. Positive and negative affect were measured at three points, including pre and post the first, fourth and eighth sessions. Only the MT-singing group increased positive affect scores and decreased negative affect scores significantly. Based on the findings of the current study, music therapy involving singing may be beneficial in improving quality of life and affect in persons with dementia at long-term care facilities. / Music Therapy