M.Cur. (Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing) / A premature baby is physiologically and neurologically immature and does not always react as desired to the extra-uterine environment. A possible way to stimulate babies is by playing slow baroque music to them. The purpose of the study was to determine what effect slow baroque.music has on the heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation, blood pressure and motor movements of premature babies. The effect of slow baroque music on premature babies was investigated by means of an extensive literature study, but only limited research on premature babies was found. A preparatory study was used to determine whether slow baroque music has a positive effect on the behaviour of premature babies. Ten premature babies were then used as case studies to determine the effect of slow baroque music on their heart and respiratory rates, saturation, blood pressure and motor movements. The following conclusions were reached by statistically processing the results: • Slow baroque music had a positive and significant effect on the babies' respiratory rate and motor movements. • The heart rate, saturation and blood pressure of the babies showed a slight positive effect only. Nursing guidelines were established for playing baroque music to premature babies and recommendations were made for further research.

Thesis (M.Mus)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: For many decades music has been recognised as a medium for therapy. The reasons put forward include the ability of music to inspire people, to motivate, to integrate and to promote relaxation. A strong link exists between human beings and music and this can unite people from different cultures. Music is readily available everywhere. People can attend music concerts or be part of a choir or orchestra. Music is even available in homes at the press of a button. Music therapy is a fairly new concept in which music and psychology are combined. For many years people have used music for healing. It is because music has produced such positive results in problem cases that it is being used in therapy sessions to contribute to the healing process. Although many people have an understanding of what music therapy entails, there are also those with no idea of what it entails. This thesis is an in-depth investigation into music therapy and the possible functional outcomes thereof. The focus is on the music therapist, characteristics that the music therapist should possess, how and why music is used as medium in the therapy process, different methods of therapy and the influence thereof on problems. The position of music therapy in the Western Cape was investigated. To arrive at a reliable conclusion in this regard, people who work with music therapy have been involved. Interviews were held with qualified and non-qualified persons who practice some form of music therapy in the Western Cape. Information from these interviews is interpreted, conveyed and recommendations are made as to the advancement of music therapy in the Western Cape. The purpose of the investigation is to publish information regarding music therapy and the meaning thereof. The larger public must be made aware of the complementary role music therapy can play in the healing process. Eventually music therapy should take its place in health care in the Western Cape, together with other branches of the medical profession such as psychology and career therapy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vir dekades word musiek al as ’n medium vir terapie erken. Die redes wat hiervoor aangevoer word, is dat musiek beskik oor die vermoë om mense te inspireer, te motiveer, te integreer en om ontspanning te bevorder. Daar bestaan ’n wesenlike verband tussen die mens en musiek en as gevolg hiervan kan musiek mense van verskillende kulture byeenbring. Musiek is oral en vrylik beskikbaar. Mense kan musiekkonserte bywoon, óf deel van ’n koor óf orkes uitmaak. Musiek is selfs deur die druk van ’n knoppie in wonings beskikbaar. Musiekterapie is ’n relatiewe nuwe begrip waartydens musiek en sielkunde gekombineer word. Vir baie jare al word musiek gebruik om te help om mense gesond te maak. Juis omdat musiek sulke positiewe resultate in probleemgevalle getoon het, word dit tydens terapiesessies gebruik om tot die genesingsproses by te dra. Alhoewel baie mense ’n begrip het van wat musiekterapie is, is daar ook diegene wat geen benul het waaroor dit gaan nie. Hierdie tesis is ’n indringende ondersoek na musiekterapie en die moontlike funksionele uitkomste daarvan. Daar word gefokus op die musiekterapeut, eienskappe wat die musiekterapeut behoort te hê, hóé en waarom musiek as medium in die terapieproses gebruik word, verskillende terapiemetodes en hoe dit probleme beïnvloed. Die stand van musiekterapie in die Wes-Kaap is ondersoek. Om tot ’n betroubare gevolgtrekking hieroor te kom, is persone wat gereeld met musiekterapie werk, betrek. Daar is onderhoude met gekwalifiseerde asook niegekwalifiseerde persone wat die een of ander vorm van musiekterapie in die Wes-Kaap beoefen, gevoer. Inligting bekom uit hierdie onderhoude word geïnterpreteer, oorgedra en aanbevelings oor die bevordering van musiekterapie in die Wes-Kaap word gemaak. Die doel van die ondersoek is om inligting aangaande musiekterapie sowel die betekenis daarvan bekend te maak. Die breë publiek moet bewus gemaak word van die aanvullende rol wat musiekterapie in die genesende proses kan speel. Uiteindelik behoort musiekterapie, saam met ander vertakkings van die mediese beroep soos byvoorbeeld sielkunde en beroepsterapie, sy plek in die gesondheidsorg van die Wes-Kaap in te neem.

M.A. (Social Work) / The primary aim of this study is to explore the use of music as an aid in the Social Work profession in South Africa with reference to other disciplines. In order to achieve this aim the following objectives were used: (i) To compare a literature study on the historic development of the use of music as an aid in rendering help; (ii) To investigate the nature and extent of training in the use of music therapy; (iii) To investigate the extent to which music as a tool is utilized by music therapists; and (iv) To suggest ways in which music as a therapeutic tool can be utilized in Social Work.