• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.33-60
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• 2023

This study is an analysis and review of the international research on interventions using music for the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's disease(PD). It categorizes 24 intervention studies conducted over the last 20 years based on the level of music usage and type of music utilized. The aim of this analysis was to identify which musical elements improved timing issues related to the initiation and cessation of movement in patients with PD. The studies involved six with music-based interventions and 18 with rhythm-based interventions, depending on the level of music usage. Rhythm, a common element in music, was a suitable factor for addressing the participants' issues. Furthermore, this review suggests that the characteristics of the researchers impact the extent to which musical elements are used and the diversity of those elements, which influences the intervention's effectiveness. Therefore, this study provides information on how to specify and systematically consider intervention efforts and the use of musical elements that can be applied in rehabilitation for patients with PD.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.21-46
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to review the literature on music intervention research with North Korean defectors, focusing on posttraumatic growth. Eleven research papers were searched and selected to examine their general characteristics, intervention content, and therapeutic basis of music interventions for North Korean defectors. The investigated variables were related to posttraumatic growth-related aspects in changes in individuals, intervention goals, measurement tools, outcomes depending on developmental stages of the participants. The analysis showed that music provided a safe and familiar environment, which facilitated voluntary participation. Through music interventions, it was confirmed that individuals were able to discover their inner strength, leading to improved adaptability in daily life; positive changes were experienced in the social and relational aspects; and confidence in the future was strengthened. By reviewing music interventions with North Korean defectors, this study can present implications for music interventions with people who have experienced trauma and require assistance in fostering posttraumatic growth.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-85
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• 2021

This study reviewed the research in China on music interventions for adult brain injury patients. Eighty-three studies that met the inclusion criteria were included for analysis. Our review revealed that the number of intervention studies using music with adult brain injury patients has been on the rise since 2012, and random control research design methods have been dominant. Studies focused on the physical domain and emotional domain together were most common. Researchers in fields outside of music therapy conducted 43 of the studies, and music therapists carried out 14 of the studies as intervention providers. Most of the studies carried out by experts in fields other than music therapy used listening activities involving preexisting recorded music. However, most of the studies conducted by music therapists adopted reconstructed music and played it live during their intervention. The specificity of the described content of the interventions and level and relevance of stated rationale to the target goal of the intervention suggests that high quality of intervention was conducted with a therapist/investigator who has completed adequate professional education/training, which would emphasize the importance of music therapy professionalism. This study provides the baseline data for how music intervention research has been implemented in China and presents implications for future clinical practice and research.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 2022

This review was conducted to identify the research trends in music intervention studies with elderly patients with dementia. Korean- and English-written studies on music intervention for this population were searched and analyzed. Seventeen studies were included in the final analysis. The results showed that behavioral and psychological symptoms were the main dependent variables. In terms of the type of music intervention employed, interventions requiring the patient's active participation in producing music were more common than interventions that required the patient to only listen to music. The majority of studies provided live music, selected music that was familiar to and preferred by the patient, and utilized rhythm-based performance activities. In the studies using active music production as the intervention, the participants were asked to express the emotions evoked by group instrument playing or singing along with music, which doesn't reflect the functional limitations (e.g., cognitive impairment) of elderly patients with moderate to severe dementia. The results of this review point to the need in the field to develop music intervention programs for the elderly with moderate to severe dementia that meaningfully engage these patients in music-related behaviors that target their specific symptomology.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze the literature on music interventions for youth with intellectual disability. Characteristics of the music intervention, target goal domains, and the quality of statements on intervention contents and rationale were explored. What type of intervention was applied in each target goal domain and how studies differed in terms of the quality of stated rationales depending on the authors' field of study were also analyzed. A total of 20 articles published in KCI journals were identified. The analysis showed the differences in intervention contents depending on the authors' research field and target goal areas. In addition, it was found that only two studies stated an appropriate rationale based on the theory of music therapy and relevant research. Discrepancies on the quality of rationale between researchers with music therapy majors and with non-music therapy majors indicated the importance of the music therapy professionalism in expecting and interpreting the intervention outcomes. These findings highlight the ways in which music intervention studies could be improved to further the field and contribute to the rigor of these interventions for youth with intellectual disability.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.115-142
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate music intervention research conducted with high-risk neonates in NICUs in both domestic and international settings. Seventeen music intervention studies were identified, and their characteristics, including type of music, music provider, and treatment frequency, and outcomes (i.e., neonatal vital signs) were reviewed and analyzed along with meta-analysis. For music interventions targeting high-risk neonates in NICUs, the effect sizes of the neonates' vital signs were classified as either medium or large. In addition, larger effect sizes were associated with a combination of live and recorded music, nonmusical therapists as the music providers, and treatment frequency of one to five sessions per week. These research findings verify the clinical value of music for high-risk neonates and provide insights into the selection of music elements, music delivery methods, and music providers in NICU music interventions.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.37-60
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to systematically review music intervention studies for patients with schizophrenia. The researcher searched nine electronic databases for clinical trials published since 2000, using combinations of keyword related to schizophrenia and music interventions. The initial search identified 272 studies, and fifteen studies were selected by reviewing the titles, abstracts and full articles, In addition, three articles were added by examining other review articles. Thus, a total of 18 articles were analyzed in terms of their general and intervention characteristics, and the PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. The results demonstrated that, due to the lack of randomization and blinding, the methodological qualities of the studies with high quality music interventions were often rated low. Eight Music interventions conducted by qualified music therapists included active music-making, therapeutic relationship, and supervision systems for improving intervention quality. In conclusion, the randomization, blinding, and the therapeutic rationale of intervention are recommended in future clinical trials for patients with schizophrenia.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.17-30
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• 2016

This study aimed to examine the current state of music therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) by conducting a survey of music therapists. Completed surveys from 32 certified music therapists were included for analysis. The questionnaire was composed of 38 items that asked about the participants' background, work environment and music therapy implementation experience (including assessment, goal establishment, intervention strategy and difficulties). The results of the study showed that music therapy for adults with ID was practiced in diverse facilities. Enhancing social interaction was the most frequently set goal by music therapists, whereas facilities mostly required the music therapy services for emotional stability. Also, instrument playing was used most among music activities, and musical structure was considered most when choosing music for therapy. Among the influential institutional factors, characteristics of the facility were considered most frequently, and the level of functioning was the most considered in terms of client-related factors. To advance the effective use of music therapy interventions with adults with ID, development of music therapy assessment tools and more active communication with facility staff were also suggested when working with this population.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.53-77
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to review the literature on music interventions with older adults and to analyze the rationale for the type of intervention and type of music selected. A search of KCI journals for research including older adults and music-based interventions identified 33 published articles, and 23 of these studies met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. Included studies were analyzed in terms of the contents of the interventions and the appropriateness of the rationale reported for selecting the intervention and music. Each study was analyzed in terms of the relevance of the reported rationale to target goals and the characteristics of the study participants. The results showed that many of the included studies incorporated a variety of activities but failed to include a valid rationale for using those activities to achieve the target goals. Also, many of the studies tended to select music based on participants' preferences or perceived familiarity without thorough consideration of the therapeutic function of music in the given intervention. This study presents how music therapy interventions with older adults have been conducted without sufficient attention to the selection of the intervention and presented music. There remains a need to delineate which intervention and music characteristics should be utilized to obtain particular outcomes with specific populations.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.95-118
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• 2018

With the recent emphasis on evidence-based research and practice, the field of music therapy has called for rigorous reviews of the scientific data and for therapeutic rationales for research procedures. The purpose of this study was to review studies that used a rhythm task as a therapy intervention in terms of whether they provided a rationale for the components related to the intervention. The components included activity rationale, music rationale, intervention validity, intervention format (individual or group), intervention development (contour), duration, and intervention provider. A total of 41 studies were selected: 22 studies were implemented by music therapists and 19 by professionals in other related fields. In terms of seven assessment categories, only 10 studies were found to report more than four items which are related to a rationale of interventions. The 10 studies identified were further examined to determine if their intervention rationale differed depending on whether the study included a researcher-formulated intervention or an existing music therapy protocol. Of the 10 studies, six used a researcher-formulated rhythm intervention, and four used an existing music therapy protocol. Those studies that used an existing music therapy protocol also provided a clear rationale for music selection, whereas those that used a researcher-formulated rhythm task tended to provide an activity rationale. The results of this study suggest that researchers need to be clearer about their interventions and provide an evidence-based rationale for why and how they use a rhythm task.