Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

participants were within the ”normal” band. However, there are marked individual
differences between participants, as shown in Fig. 5.1 and 5.2. The only participant
(ESMA) whose anxiety score was within the ”normal” band at pre-test is also the only
participant whose score did not decrease (it even went one point up at post-
test/follow-up).
Statistical Analysis of HADS results
A two-tailed Wilcoxon matched pairs test was computed to compare pre-test scores
with post-test and follow-up scores (Table 5.1). As stated in the method section, the
size of this sample plus the absence of a control group precludes any suggested
generalizability of these statistical results. Nevertheless, the results from this analysis
give an indication of how significant the treatment was for these specific participants
in terms of differences between pre-test, post-test and follow up, and effects over
time.
Table 5. 1 Wilcoxon matched pairs test: Comparison of pre-test scores with posttest
scores and follow-up scores in both HADS domains
Measure Z P value
HADS Anxiety pre-test difference to post-test -1,897 .058
HADS Anxiety pre-test difference to follow-up -2,003 .045*
HADS Depression pre-test difference to post-test - ,962 .336
HADS Depression pre-test difference to follow-up -1,625 .104
The results in Table 5.1 showing the outcomes from the Wilcoxon test indicate that
the HADS Anxiety scores were significantly lower at follow-up than at pre-test (p =
.045). However, no significant effect was found at post-test (p = .058), although the
result was in the right direction, and close to significance. Five out of the six
participants already scored low (non-clinical) scores for depression at pre-test
according to the norms of the HADS, which explains the lack of any significant
difference between pre- and post test.
Descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken to calculate the degree of the treatment
effect at post-test and at follow up.
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