• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-62
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of an interactive singing-based synchronous videoconferencing program for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study was conducted in four stages: analysis of interactive singing tasks in the literature for children with ASD, examination of differences in perception of sounds transmitted via synchronous videoconferencing platform depending on the type of singing tasks and accompaniment, construction of singing-based synchronous videoconferencing program and determination of its validity, and implementation of the constructed program with three children with ASD and confirmation of its feasibility. The results showed that different types of singing tasks and accompaniment affected perception of sounds transmitted online, which highlights the importance of considering such effects when designing synchronous videoconferencing music therapy programs. Also, increases in program engagement and singing behaviors were observed for all three participants, and their caregivers reported high levels of satisfaction with the program. The findings support the applicability of this intervention as a tele-music alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical implications and suggestions are discussed.

• 재활복지
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.169-194
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• 2018

The aim of this study is to examine changes in swallowing function and quality of life with therapeutic singing-based music therapy for patients with dysphagia. The music therapy program was based on the previous study (Kim, 2010), and designed to improve breathing, phonation, and swallowing functions focusing on laryngeal elevation. Three patients with dysphagia participated in this study and each participant received a total of 11 or 12 individual music therapy sessions and each session was conducted for 30 minutes. In this study, three kinds of measurements were used. First, the measures of maximum phonation time (MPT), fundamental frequency, average intensity, jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonics ratio (NHR) by Praat test, second, laryngeal-diadochokinesis (L-DDK) to investigate laryngeal elevation, and last, the Swallowing-Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) was measured. These cases have shown improved breathing, phonation, swallowing function, and the scores of SWAL-QOL in all of the patients. It suggests that this music therapy intervention was effective on laryngeal elevation, and the music intervention with therapeutic singing can be effectively implemented in further research for patients with dysphagia.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-84
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-perceived benefits from singing and the quality of life of older adults aged 75 years and older. A total of 231 older adults participated in this study with 141 of them living alone and 90 of them living with others. Each participant was instructed to complete the investigator-constructed questionnaire and the Quality of Life scale. The questionnaire consisted of 49 items on demographic information, involvement in leisure activities and singing-related experiences, and perceived benefits from singing. The results showed that the amount of involvement in leisure activities and the measured quality of life were found to differ between the two subgroups of older adults living with and without others. The number of older adults who had singing-related experiences was also differed between the groups. A positive correlation was found between the amount of self-perceived benefit from singing and quality of life. These results indicate that self-perceived benefits from singing could be an important factor for the quality of life of older adults. This study supports the potential benefits of incorporating singing as an active leisure activity into interventions for older adults, expanding the research that has been extensively based on listening-based interventions. Also, it presents clinical implications for how singing interventions and programs could be designed and suggested to support this population to better cope with their life issues and enhance the quality of life.

• 재활복지
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.189-208
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• 2018

This case study investigated the changes in speech intelligibility of patients with head and neck cancers who participated in a therapeutic singing-based intervention. Three patients received a total of twelve 30-minute individual sessions. The intervention consisted of three steps: movements for relaxing breathing muscles, vocalization for increasing the range of articulatory movements, and therapeutic singing. In order to examine the changes in speech intelligibility, the voice quality parameters, diadochokinesis (DDK) and the quadrangle vowel space area (VSA) were measured at pre- and posttest. The recording of what each patient read a written paragraph, which were transcribed by blinded assessors, were also analyzed. The results demonstrated that all of the patients showed positive changes in the voice quality, the rate of repetitive syllable production measured by DDK, and the articulatory working space measured by VSA. Along with these measured changes, increases in positive mood and rehabilitation motivation reported by the patients support that the therapeutic singing-based intervention could induce meaningful changes in terms of speech intelligibility from patients with head and neck cancers. Given that this study was conducted with a small sample size, suggestions for further investigation on the effects of the intervention were also presented.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the accuracy and range of produced pitch in children with cochlear implants (CI) after an interval-based singing program. A total of three children with CIs aged 5 received twelve 35-minute individual sessions two to three times per week. The interval-based singing program was composed with third, fifth, and eighth intervals and implemented pitch discrimination, pitch imitation, and singing songs with target intervals in a sequence. At pretest and posttest, the changes in accuracy of pitch production during pitch imitation and singing were measured. The results demonstrated that all participants showed improvement in pitch accuracy and produced the target notes with great similarity to the expected pitches in the original song. The range of produced pitch also increased after the program. The results indicate that sequential trials to imitate pitches in a multisensory environment to facilitate the processing of pitch information may reflect how this population perceives pitch information and assist children with CIs to improve their pitch accuracy.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.71-90
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare immediate differences in fatigue and motor performance during instrumental playing in patients with chronic stroke depending on whether singing task was concurrently presented. A total of 12 patients with chronic stroke were recruited from community and daycare centers for older adults in Seoul. Six subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group and six to the comparison group. The experimental group was asked to sing while playing the electronic drum, and the comparison group only played the drum. The results of this study showed that statistically significant differences in perceived fatigue and exertion were found between the two groups, while no significant group differences were found in level of engagement in playing or force of tapping during drum playing. This study supports the inclusion of a singing task in instrument playing rehabilitation to effectively decrease perceived fatigue and level of intensity of exercises, although this may not lead to immediate changes in motor function or level of target exercises. The results indicate that singing while instrument playing may help stroke patients shift their attention from the executed motor movements to singing and alleviate the attentional and emotional load from intense movements. This study presents implications for how to select and pattern target movements in music therapy intervention for better motor outcomes.

• 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 Music and Human Behavior
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.15-31
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• 2005

Terminal pediatric patient include congenital metabolic abnormalities, chromosome aberrations, congenital anomalies, neuromuscular diseases and other incurable conditions as well as malignant tumors. One third of these diseases are cancers, and two thirds of cancers are lymphadenoma and leukemia. Terminal pediatric patient may feel fear, anger and frustration against treatment process in hospitals, lose control of themselves and stay in helplessness due to restrictions within controlled hospital environment. This study examined the relationship between hospitalized childrens behavior and music using Contextual Support Model of Music Therapya theory stating therapeutic music environments possess three elements of Structure, Autonomy support and Involvement, and increase childrens active engagement. Focused on these three therapeutic elements, this study analyzed music therapy cases of terminally ill children to examine the relationship between childrens behavior and music as environmental supportive medium in the environment. This study is on a single case case subject, a 10-year-old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Nine sessions of music therapy activities were conducted and analyzed using qualitative method. Focusing on three therapeutic elements of Contextual Support Model, analysis of sessions was made on the basis of activities specifically designed for this study. Main music therapy activities included singing while playing musical instruments, singing while listening to music through CD player, making up songs, and searching for song lines. The findings of this study are as follows: a) in terms of Structure, music therapy suggested a direction for effective musical activities for terminally ill children by providing environments where child can sing, play musical instruments and make up songs; b) in terms of Autonomy support, music therapy encouraged childs voluntary participation by giving her chances to make choice while singing or playing musical instruments; c) in terms of Involvement, child could gain positive approval of the therapist and conduct musical activities in cooperation with the therapist. Music therapy serves as supportive medium in the environment, develops spontaneity and self-reliance in emotionally depressed children, and promotes voluntary attitudes in the restricted hospital environment. Based on the positive effects of music therapy, more studies need to be conducted with an approach to more various terminal pediatric patients.