Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

thought, and that subscale scores indicate different potentials of coping outcome. This
was one reason for including the SOC as an outcome measure in the present study.
Moe (2000, 2002) documented how mood and defence manoeuvres of schizotypical
patients were positively influenced by GMI therapy. Music and imagery served as a
safe and structured way to explore and expand self objects in an interpersonal
framework.
Grocke (1999) studied when and how “pivotal moments” occurred in BMGIM
sessions of healthy adults using the method for psychological growth. This research is
a qualitative in-depth study of the processes behind a measurable outcome and
therefore aspects of the study will be discussed in other chapters.
Marr (2000) made an in-depth analysis of how three healthy adults experienced a
specific GIM music program (Grieving, programmer: L. Keiser) in one of six
BMGIM sessions. Using phenomenological and structural methods of analysis, she
demonstrated how the music influenced the imagery and image transformations in the
music-listening periods of the sessions. A close relationship between music and
imagery was revealed, demonstrating how changes in musical parameters; especially
tension and resolution were matched in the imagery sequences.
Summary
The studies reviewed report that BMGIM and adaptations of the model have been
used in all phases of cancer care with good results. BMGIM has a potential in
reducing levels of stress, improving mood states (especially reduction of anxiety), and
increasing quality of life (especially enhanced psychosocial coping) in cancer
survivors and in palliative care. There are very few reports on the use of BMGIM in
the diagnosis and treatment phases, and there is a general lack of effect studies in a
control design (Burns’ small scale study was the only one identified in the literature).
Further evidence is needed to support the potential of BMGIM in cancer care.
35