Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

the total score was significantly improved, and results from the Meaningfulness and
Manageability subscales reported significant improvement (p = 0.005 for
Meaningfulness and p = 0.000 for Manageability, as measured by Students t-test).
Effect sizes were small to medium for the total scores (0.43) and Meaningfulness
(0.36) and medium for Manageability (0.57), both in the functional and the
dysfunctional group. The Comprehensibility subscale was unaffected (Cohens d =
0.19). The improvements are discussed as a reflection of increased imaginal
competence of the participants, obtained through the BMGIM therapy. – In the
present study SOC was used to explore the influence of BMGIM on quality of life.
Results indicated significant improvements in the total SOC score from pre-test to
post-test and pre-test to follow-up, with the most marked improvements demonstrated
in the scores from the comprehensibility subscale. This difference at subscale level
may reflect the different needs and problems in the participants of the two studies.
Cancer patients experience multiple stressors (through the stages of pre-diagnosis,
diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment (survivorship) with a shock-like effect due to
the abrupt and unexpected confrontation with a life-threatening disease, very different
from the more gradual development of psychological problems in the client groups
represented in the Swedish study. In both studies the improvement of the SOC scores
indicate the effectiveness of BMGIM in improving coping skills, however, the results
are not directly comparable.
5.6 Summary of the results
In summary, the findings from this quantitative investigation revealed changes in the
way subjects reported anxiety, depression, quality of life and their global attitude to
life when comparing pre-test with post-test, and at follow up. Anxiety scores reported
in the HADS decreased for five of the six participants, and a significant effect was
found from pre-test to follow-up. The size of effects of treatment over time (ES) was
very large at both post-test and follow-up. Depression scores decreased for two
participants at post-test and for four at follow-up. No significant effects were found.
The size of the effect of treatment (ES) was small at post-test, and medium to large at
follow-up. While the results of non-parametric analysis revealed that no significant
effect was found on depression, and on anxiety only at follow-up, the effect size
calculations suggest there is a treatment effect over time, which, while it should not be
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