Annotated Bibliography
1
Jane Doe
Professor Spalding
ENGW233-31I
12 October 2008
Annotated Bibliography
Baker, F.A., Gleadhill, L.M., & Dingle, G.A. (2007). Music Therapy and emotional exploration:
Exposing substance abuse clients to the experiences of non-drug-induced emotions. The
Arts in Psychotherapy, 34, 321-330.
This article summarized the use of music therapy to increase the emotional state of
substance abuse clients. Many substance abuse clients use drugs to decrease negative
feelings or escape them. The authors of this article attempted to prove that music therapy
helps substance abuse clients by decreasing stress, anxiety, and impulsiveness while
encouraging positive emotions and mood changes. During the study, substance abuse
patients listened to songs with lyrics instead of instrumental songs or poetry, because
songs with lyrics are more likely to relax and increase positive emotions. The authors
concluded that after using music therapy in a rehabilitation program 85% of the patients
said that music therapy resulted in positive mood change leaving the patients feeling
much happier and more relaxed. Although this study provided valuable information about
the benefits of music therapy, the study was conducted on a short term basis with very
few patients. Overall, the study provided new information and valuable about how music
therapy is now being used.
Annotated Bibliography
2
Boso, M., Minazzi, V., Abbamonte, M., & Politi, P. (2007). Effect of long-term interactive music
therapy on behavior profile and musical skills in young adults with severe autism. The
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 13(7), 709-712.
The authors proposed that music therapy helps the behavior and musical skills of
young adults with severe autism. Music therapy has been shown to help with
communication skills and social interactions which are greatly impaired by autism.
Because of this, the authors conducted a study of patients with severe autism who
received music therapy over a period of sixth months. Although the study was completed
on a same scale, it showed that music therapy greatly improves the behavior of those with
severe autism. The authors concluded that the increase in musical skills of those with
autism greatly influenced the clinical ratings of autism.
Gifford, L., & Romo, R. (2007). A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Music Therapy in a Home Hospice.
Nursing Economics, 25(6), 353-358.
Because of the rising cost of medicine and other medical expenses, Gifford and Romo
investigated the cost benefits of using music therapy in a home hospice care system.
Their study proved that the use of music therapy greatly reduced the cost of medicine and
the need for registered nurses. Although their study proved that music therapy had a
positive impact on the patients both medicinally and financially, the study was done on a
small scale. Also as Gifford and Romo pointed out, the results of the study would not be
useful for other areas of medicine, because the hospice patients were terminally ill. The
journal was helpful because it provided not only information on the cost benefits of music
therapy but also the medicinal benefits of music therapy as an alternative medicine.
Annotated Bibliography
3
Gold, C., Wigram, T., & Voracek, M. (2007). Predictors of change in music therapy with
children and adolescents: the role of therapeutic techniques. Psychology &
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, & Practice, 80, 577-589.
The authors documented a study of sixty children ranging from ages three to nineteen
to prove that music therapy reduces symptoms of mental illness. Mental illnesses that
occur in children will most likely be present in adulthood. Because of this, music therapy
can be used to reduce and diminish some symptoms of mental illness. As the authors
discussed, techniques that are used in music therapy emphasize use of musical
experiences to develop relationships. In the study, patients improved when given a
discipline-specific therapy such as reflection or improvisation. Although the study
concluded that music therapy does help some patients suffering from mental illness, the
authors concluded that more research is needed on the subject.
Horne-Thompson, A., & Grocke, D. (2008). The Effect of Music Therapy on Anxiety in Patients
who are Terminally Ill. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 11(4). 582-590.
The authors conducted a study which indicated that the anxiety of terminally ill
patients is greatly reduced by the use of music therapy. Anxiety and depression are
common issues that terminally ill patients face. Horne-Thompson and Grocke’s
experiment included two groups. The first group, the experimental group, received one
music therapy session whereas the control group did not receive any sort of music
therapy. The music therapy included singing, listening to live music, reminiscing about
musical experiences, and counseling through music. The study concluded that for the
group who received music therapy anxiety, pain, tiredness, and drowsiness were all
greatly reduced.
Annotated Bibliography
4
Magee, W. (2007). Music as a diagnostic tool in low awareness states: considering limbic
responses. Brain Injury, 21(6), 593-599.
The article summarized the use of music therapy as a diagnostic tool for those in a low
awareness or vegetative state. Background information established that music therapy has
been shown to increase positive behavior change in patients. As the author stated, these
changes include communicative responses, arousal, purposeful responses to stimuli,
change in breathing and heart rate. Because it is very difficult to determine the mental
and emotional capacity of those who are in a low awareness state, music therapy is a
useful diagnostic tool. Magee concluded that music therapy is beneficial to doctors and
patients when used to determine the responsiveness and consciousness of a patient in a
low awareness state.