Exploration of music therapy with adults with a brain injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring brainwave and behavioural responses of adults with brain injuries to songs in music therapy: a feasibility study.
IRAS ID
240668
Contact name
Chris Alford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 12 days
Research summary
Music therapy has been used in a variety of settings in the UK since the late 1950s. It involves using different techniques such as improvisation or song writing to help those who “have been affected by injury, illness or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs” (www.bamt.org).
Brain injuries can occur as a result of a disease/degenerative condition (known as ‘acquired brain injury’), or as the result of a traumatic event, such as a car accident/blow to the head (known as ‘traumatic brain injury’). Neurorehabilitation is the process in which patients participate in different forms of therapy to either: restore skills affected by their condition, or learn adapted skills dependent on the level of impairment.
Music listening is a receptive technique used in music therapy. There have been a number of studies examining the use of music listening in neurorehabilitation. Some of these suggest that regular music listening can reduce agitation, anxiety and improve mood in adults with brain injuries (Shivonen et al., 2017; Oknina et al., 2017; Park et al., 2016; Sarkamo et al., 2008). However, few have investigated if different versions (live or recorded) of the same song generate different responses.
Further research is required to study the efficacy of different methods of music listening on adults with a brain injury, to see if these evoke different responses in individuals with a brain injury.
This research forms part of a final year postgraduate study at the University of the West of England. The study uses quantitative methods to measure the impact of two music therapy interventions on brainwaves and behaviour in adults with a brain injury. The research will be conducted at a private residential neurorehabilitation centre in England.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0224
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion