Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

Theoretical perspectives
The potentials of BMGIM with cancer patients may be discussed from different
theoretical perspectives, addressing specific treatment goals and levels of
interventions.
Psychophysiological/Neurobiological BMGIM (and other combinations of music and
imagery) may have a positive influence on the production of anti-stress hormones and
may thus strengthen the immune system (Bunt 2000, Burns et al. 2001; Lane 1992;
McKinney et al. 1995, 1997; Rider 1985, 1999; Scartelli 1992).
Based on some of these and related studies Rider developed a theory of
'Homeodynamics' (Rider 1997) to explain why therapeutic interventions producing
changes in EEG and physiological responses are beneficial to all bodily systems.
According to this theory the effect of receptive music therapy is based on the
production of effective neurological power shifts between the four brain wave
frequency bands. A better balance between these bands and a more flexible capacity
to shift between them is considered beneficial for immune responses and may thus
result in beneficial effects on physical, emotional, cognitive and sociospiritual levels
(Rider 1999). From a different theoretical perspective (Jungian analytical psychology)
Kast (1990) also mentions the importance of psychological flexibility as it can be
taught through imagery work.
Psychological BMGIM is a psychotherapeutic intervention enabling the client to work
experientially with his/her self-concept and life story in a metaphorical-symbolical
and narrative from. Multi-modal imagery (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic), memories
and emotions constitute a flexible psychological material enabling significant changes
in coping strategies or transformations of negative and inhibiting scripts and self
concepts. The theoretical understanding of this process is outlined in chapter 3.
In the music therapy cancer literature three areas are considered of special importance
for the coping and survival of patients (Dileo 1999b):
1) optimistic or pessimistic explanatory styles (how are negative life events such as
disease explained)
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