23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

ehaviours during the second and third weeks of the
reversal phase followed by an immediate drop in
inappropriate behaviours at the start of the second
treatment phase. The subject particularily enjoys a
family visit, a shopping trip and evenings spent dancing.
If one of these factors had been influencing her
behaviour, the level of inappropriate behaviour would
have remained unchanged by the reversal and second
treatment phases.
These results may show the effect of music sessions on
the subject's behaviour, but they do not make clear
whether the music or the developing relationship was
effecting the change. Would time spent each day just
chatting with me have produced the same pattern of
response?
The results of subject D, whose schedule was the only
one involving a direct comparison between a musical
and non-musical therapeutic relationship, suggest that
this would not have been the case. A musical
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therapeutic relationship had the most significant effect
on her anxiety Compare the lack of treatment effect
during the control sessions with the decreases in pulse
rate and behavioural (Figure 6) rating once treatment
began. (Figure7) It is perhaps all too easy, as music
therapists, to overlook the potential for change which
exists in musical activities that do not call on specialised
improvisation skills. However, if we believe that our role
and the role of music as a therapy is to enhance and
improve quality of life, and if we acknowledge that a
musical activity becomes therapy when it can be shown
to have a significant and positive impact on an
individual's quality of life, the results of both studies
confirm the value to us, as music therapists, of both the
relaxing and recreational uses of music in reducing
anxiety.
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