• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2011

This study was to investigate the influence of using Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance (TIMP) in uninvolved hand function for children with spastic cerebral palsy. Participants were recruited from a welfare center for people with cerebral palsy(CP). Ages ranged from 11 to 12, and a total of 15 TIMP sessions were provided for 3 weeks. Hand function tests were used including Jebsen Hand Function Test for hand function, Box and Block Test for dexterity of uninvolved hand, and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) evaluation for velocity of fingers. The TIMP program consisted of hand percussion playing and keyboard playing with changes of timbre and tempo. While the scores of Jebsen test and Box and Block test were improved for all participants, outcomes of MIDI analysis showed differences among participants. Overall, hand function improvements were observed after the completion of using the TIMP program, and the results implies that the TIMP program can be applied in upper extremity rehabilitation for children with CP.

• 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.19 no.2
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• pp.81-103
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• 2022

The effects of therapeutic instrumental music performance (TIMP) using a ukulele were examined in adults with central nervous system damage and impaired hand functions. The participants were three adults with neurological damage who participated in 30-min sessions twice a week over 6 weeks. Changes in hand function was measured by the Box and Block Test (BBT), the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Following the intervention, all three participants showed increases in the BBT and 9-HPT scores, indicating positive changes in fine motor coordination and dexterity. In terms of the JTHFT, all three participants showed increases in the "writing" and "card flipping" subtask scores, indicating that the intervention was effective in improving more coordinated finger movements. All participants reported the satisfaction with the intervention. They also pointed out that they were motivated to play the ukulele and that following the intervention used their affected hand more frequently in daily activities. These findings suggest that TIMP with a ukulele for patients with central nervous system damage can have positive effects on their functional hand movements and motivate these patients to practice their rehabilitation exercises.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.25-41
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• 2009

The purpose of this case study is to examine how group rhythmic playing can help enhance imitation skills for 3 children with developmental disabilities aged between 30-50 months. The program was composed of social musical play, the therapist's imitating the way young children played musical instruments, and the young children's imitating the way the therapist played musical instruments. Every session was videotaped, and the researcher and two music therapists checked the videotaped sessions to ensure the reliability of findings. The case study demonstrated the following results. First, the three young children who participated in the playing of rhythmic musical instruments showed an increase in imitation behaviors. Second, the infants exhibited the greatest change from 1 beat imitation according to the degree of difficulty of group rhythm musical instrument demonstrated. Third, the most radical change in the infants' ability to imitate appeared in Sessions 3-7 where the therapist imitated the operation and a performance of the infant. In conclusion, the activity of playing rhythmic musical instruments in a group generated improvement in the imitation ability of young children with developmental disabilities.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.89-110
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• 2016

This study examined the effect of an interactive instrument playing program on the social interaction of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A single subject design with multiple baselines across participants was applied, and three adults with severe ASD in their late 20s living at a group home participated in this study. Participants received a total of 25 group sessions. During the intervention, participants engaged in structured instrument playing in which initiation and response to socially interactive behaviors were musically cued, and target behaviors were reinforced in the musical environment. At pre- and posttest, the frequency of initiation of and responding to social interaction behaviors were recorded and analyzed. The results of this study showed that the frequency of both initiation of, and response to, social interaction increased for all participants during the intervention phase, compared to the baseline phase. This result demonstrates that interactive instrument playing increased social behaviors of adults with ASD. It also shows that musically delivered social information can facilitate adults with ASD understanding the intention of social partners in social contexts and motivate this population to engage in social interaction.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.87-107
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• 2021

The purpose of this research was to explore the phenomenon of object relations with musical instruments as experienced by professional Samulnori musicians. The researcher conducted in-depth individual interviews with five Samulnori players who also completed questionnaires with open-ended questions. The data were analyzed using Giorgi(2004)'s phenomenological methodology. The results offered 121 semantic units, seven subcategories, and three main categories. The three main categories were transitional object, object of expression and recognition of internal desires, and object for recognition of others and communication. These results suggest that the ensemble format of Samulnori promotes the development of the musician's object relationship and can externalize the player's internalized representational system and interaction method. This study is significant in that it reveals the endopsychic functional relationship between a musician and their instrument and provides the basis for the use of Samulnori instruments in music therapy.

• 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 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 Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.61-88
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• 2023

This case study examined whether a cooperative musical instrument playing could enhance interactions between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their neurotypical (NT) siblings. It involved three children with ASD aged 7-12 years and three NT siblings aged 6-11 years. Each group, comprising a child with ASD and their NT sibling, participated in a 40-minute sessions twice weekly for eight sessions over four weeks. The intervention included three stages: simultaneous action, complementary action, and achieving a joint goal. Evaluation criteria included the initiation and response behaviors of each child, and sequential interactive behaviors and cooperative behaviors between pairs were measured. Additionally, before and after the intervention, parents and NT sibling assessed their perceived sibling relationships. Results showed increased interactive and cooperative behaviors. Post-intervention, both parents and NT siblings rated the sibling relationship highly, despite little change in sibling conflict and competition consciousness. These findings indicate that interactive instrument playing can enhance perceptions of siblings as cooperative play partners and aid in teaching them how to collaborate during interactions.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.75-97
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive-motor interaction-based instrument playing on the early social skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nine children with ASD, averaging 5.6 years of age, participated in twelve individual sessions lasting 30 minutes each. The intervention comprised five stages: self-regulation, motivation to engage in social interaction, acceptance of a partner in co-playing activities, interpersonal coordination with a partner, and engagement in joint music playing. To evaluate changes in early social skills, joint attention and social interaction behaviors were observed, and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) was administered pre- and post-intervention. Social synchronization was measured through a dyadic drum task, measuring synchronization accuracy, duration, and timing. Following the intervention, all nine children demonstrated increased early social behaviors, although there were no significant differences in SRS scores. Moreover, synchronized movement improved significantly in accuracy and maintained duration but not in reaction time. This study highlights the significance of recognizing the cognitive-motor interplay as crucial element in facilitating early social skills development in children with ASD.