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

Provide music and leave the room if the patient is
uncommunicative. Continue offering opportunities for
communication during later visits.
Technique 4. Music To Teach Developmental or
Educational Objectives
Music Function:
To reinforce or structure learning.
Therapeutic Objectives:
• Prevention of developmental regression due to
hospitalization.
• Increased academic/medical learning.
Diagnoses:
• Hospitalized Children (birth to 18 years) and their
families; Adults who need medical knowledge about
their illness and lifestyle implications. Music used as
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reinforcement for attentiveness to educational tasks, as
reinforcement for learning, and as a structure to provide
academic information. Music activities used with family
members to teach parents the importance of helping
children maintain developmental milestones and avoid
regression (Chetta, 1981; Marley, 1984; Miller, 1984).
Documentation:
Record one or more of the following:
• Physiological: Not applicable.
• Behaviorally Observed: Number of academic
tasks completed, correctness of academic work, time
spent on task, amount of information learned, incidence
of independent self-care (i.e., feeding self, toileting
independently, walking instead of being carried, etc.),
positive verbalizations.
• Self-Report: Log or checklist of independent selfcare
tasks performed daily.