• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.19-36
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on gait parameters, with and without the presence of a melody, for adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Three adolescents with TBI received a total of ten individual RAS training sessions. At pre and posttest, spatiotemporal parameters including cadence, velocity and kinematic parameters were measured using the VICON 370 Motion Analysis System. The results showed no significant difference in gait velocity between the two conditions, thus the presence of the melody condition did not impact the outcome of RAS gait training. On the other hand, all participants showed improvement in gait function after RAS training. The cadence, velocity, stride length, and symmetry were increased and the stride time was reduced after training. The motion analysis demonstrated that the movement patterns of hip and knee joints improved, as they were more similar to normal gait, which indicates that the walkings tance became more stable. The research findings indicate that rhythm is the primary factor in mediating gait functions via RAS training. This study also supports that RAS training can effectively improve the gait function for adolescents with TBI.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of a tablet PC-based music-making program on the executive function of adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Four adolescents with intellectual disabilities participated in this program. Each participant received 45-minute individual sessions twice a week for a total of 16 sessions. The music-making program was designed in the sequence of planning; learning table PC operations; exploring musical elements; making rhythm, melody, and lyrics; composing loop sections; and presentation of the completed music. The Stroop test, Children's Color Trails Test, and Digit Span and Letter-Number sequencing tests were measured at pretest, midtest, and posttest in order to examine changes in executive function. The participants showed increased scores on all three tests. The participants' attention span also increased and their attempts to correct errors during tasks occurred more frequently at posttest. This study supports the effects of the technology-based program on the executive function of adolescents with intellectual disabilities and presents its expanded applicability for adolescents who show low cognitive function and limited motivation for cognitive engagement.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.51-75
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• 2024

This case study aimed to develop a therapeutic rap protocol based on narrative components for improving discourse skills of adolescents with mild intellectual disability (ID) and to explore its applicability. The protocol matched narrative elements (background, initiating event, internal response, attempts, and reaction) with rap components (verse, hook, and interjections), guiding participants to narrate their experiences in a connected discourse form. The protocol was also structured to gradually increase in difficulty, considering the developmental levels of adolescents with ID and it included steps for understanding discourse structures, applying narrative elements to content creation, and expanding narratives. Post-intervention analysis of the stories and rap lyrics created by participants to express their real-life experiences showed that participants increased the length of their stories and rap compositions, with notable improvements in rhythmicity and the inclusion of narrative elements. These findings suggest that, instead of constructing rap from random utterances, providing a structured framework reflecting discourse structure enhanced participants' understanding of event context and logical connections. Furthermore, the various elements and rhythmic features of rap can strengthen motivation and organization in discourse. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of rap in addressing the unique developmental needs of adolescents with mild ID, thereby diversifying and systematizing music therapy interventions for this population.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.469-477
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• 2020

This study was conducted with 202 elderly people aged 65 years or older (40.6% male and 59.4% female) participating in physical activities centered on line dance and rhythmic gymnastics. To achieve the main objectives of the study, a questionnaire for mature aging attitude, depression and successful aging was used. The results are as follows. First, matured aging attitude influenced negatively on depression. Second, matured aging attitude influenced positively on successful aging. Third, depression influenced negatively on successful aging. Based on the above results, it is necessary to encourage the elderly to participate in physical activities to achieve successful aging through active interventions against depression.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.2187-2196
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gait training using rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait symmetry of stroke patients. Forty chronic stroke patients were divided into four groups by intervention. Group A and B received auditory stimulation when they walk with comfortable gait speed. Group A received auditory stimulation to paralyzed side while group B to non-paralyzed side. Group C and D received auditory stimulation with 10% faster gait speed than their comfortable gait speed. Group C received auditory stimulation to paralyzed side while group D to non-paralyzed side. Gait training using auditory stimulation was done in each group during five minutes. Gait symmetry was evaluated by formula and temporal variables of gait were measured by gait analysis system. Step time was decreased significantly in all groups except group A (P<.05), and gait symmetry was also improved significantly in all groups except group A (P<.05). Cadence was increased significantly in all groups except group A (p<.05), but velocity was not increased in all groups. Therefore we conclude that RAS gait training is effective in improving gait symmetry and can be useful to stroke patient's gait training.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2014

This study investigated the performance patterns in percussion improvisation of adolescents with behavior problems. A total of 40 middle school students participated in this study. Based on prescreening test results, the participants were assigned to either the impulsive tendency or depressive tendency groups. Both groups received two 45-minute group percussion improvisation. During the improvisation, all playing behaviors were recorded and analyzed in terms of rhythm pattern, instrument selection, intensity, and tempo of performance and performance duration. The results showed that while they were differences in improvised rhythm patterns between the two groups, the groups showed a similar tendencies in their instrument selection. With regard to performance parameters, the two groups showed significant difference in the tempo and duration of performance, but no significant difference was found in terms of intensity. This indicates that adolescents who exhibit behavior problems may be different in their playing patterns depending on their behavioral tendencies. Based on the results, music therapists can have a better understanding of how musical features expressed by this population relate to their inherent emotional and behavioral traits and how therapists should facilitate musical expression of these adolescents to address their needs.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-46
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• 2019

This pilot study involved a single session of song-based music therapy to relieve the anxiety of intensive care unit (ICU) caregivers. Six caregivers of ICU patients participated in the intervention session individually. During the initial stage of the intervention, the participants' current emotional states were identified. Then they listened to familiar songs and playing a tone chime, which was intended to help them relax their body and reduce their psychological resistance. During singing experiences as an essential part of the intervention, the participants discussed the lyrics of songs in an attempt to find the meaning related to them. Also, they sang the songs with a live accompaniment in which their emotional states were reflected with changes in musical elements (e.g., tempo, dynamics, rhythm, or chords). In the final stage, they identified personal application to their everyday lives. To analyze the results, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a visual analog scale on emotional states were completed by participants before and after the session, and participants' verbal responses during the session were also recorded. According to the results, STAI anxiety scores significantly declined following the session. Also, they showed significant increases in positive emotions and significant decreases in negative emotions. This suggests that short-term music therapy can be an effective intervention for relieving the psychological distress of ICU caregivers.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2023

Background: There is a need for index research on music therapy activities for the elderly in Korea. Purposes: This study aims to suggest application standards in music therapy by surveying the elderly's preference for music therapy activities. Methods: A survey of music-related actions and musical instrument preferences was conducted with 91 older people in 4 nursing homes. The questionnaire consisted of information about music activities, genres of songs, types of instruments, methods of movement, and purpose of participation in activities. Results: The preference for musical activities was for playing musical instruments, followed by singing, music appreciation, flowing movements, and concert-oriented activities. Music genres appeared in the order of popular songs, folk songs, and children's songs. The instrument type preferred drums, followed by shakers and woodblocks. As a movement application method, movement using themes is preferred. Participating in music activities was leisure, followed by stress relief and emotional cultivation. Conclusion: When applying music therapy to the elderly, it predicted that the treatment effect would be high when the elderly focus on playing musical instruments and singing activities preferred by the elderly. Music genres selected from popular music and folk songs, and musical instruments are drums and shakers. Therefore, if you use it, you can expect a more significant effect.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2013

For this research, 27 out of 52 patients with chronic low back pain involving sacroiliac joint pain were classified into the experimental group to conduct pelvic exercise program and traditional physical therapies in parallel, and the remaining 25 ones were classified into the control group to only apply traditional physical therapies for 6 weeks. After that, their clinical samples were randomly extracted. Before the experiment, both of the experimental group and the control group had the Oswestry disability index test to see how big their pain was and their hip joint angles were analyzed during walking. After the post-test, finally, the results of the Oswestry disability index test and hip joint angles while walking before and after the experiment were compared between two groups to know the effect of pelvic stability exercise program. Within-group results and between-group results both displayed significantly reduced low back pain, and when comparing hip joint angles of the experimental group, there were differences between mid stance phase, terminal stance phase, pre swing phase and early swing phase of the right hip joint, and mid stance phase, terminal stance phase, pre swing phase and early swing phase of the left hip joint. In the control group, there were significant differences between mid stance phase, terminal stance phase and early swing phase of the right hip joint, and loading response phase, mid stance phase, terminal stance phase and pre swing phase of the left hip joint. as a result, pelvic stability exercise program is helpful to gait rhythm on stance phase and swing phase although effective to decrease Oswestry disability index including pain.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2013

Upper extremity dysfunction is a common consequence following stroke. Spontaneous recovery during the first six months post-stroke is rigorous and considered as a significant indicator of potential long-term progress. Various approaches have been utilized to regain functional upper limb movement necessary for independent living; however, conventional therapy approaches have failed to prove consistency, especially for subacute stroke patients. There is, thus, a need for innovative therapeutic strategies that motivate stroke survivors to facilitate neural and functional recovery during the critical window immediately following stroke. The effect of music on physical enhancement has been frequently reported in the field of medicine as well as neurorehabilitation. The efficacy of rhythm on lower extremity deficits has been well established. Yet, the rationale for using instrumental music making enhancing subacute upper extremities rehabilitation is not clearly described to date. Based on the key mechanism of music as sensori-motor movement facilitator, this paper reviews previous empirical research that utilized music-based interventions for upper extremity rehabilitation for stroke patients, either in the form of receptive or expressive activity. This paper, further, focuses on the current research trends in subacute stroke upper limb rehabilitation and provides applicable rationale of using instrumental music playing.