Music Therapy for Early Cognitive Rehabilitation Post-childhood Tbi: An Intrinsic Mixed Methods Case Study

Journal

Developmental Neurorehabilitation

Year

2014

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this case study was to explore the behavioural changes of a paediatric patient in post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) during a music therapy session. A secondary objective was to measure the effect of the music therapy intervention on agitation. Method: Video data from pre, during and post-music therapy sessions were collected and analysed using video micro-analysis and the Agitated Behaviour Scale. Results: The participant displayed four discrete categories of behaviours: Neutral, Acceptance, Recruitment and Rejection. Further analysis revealed brief but consistent and repeated periods of awareness and responsiveness to the live singing of familiar songs, which were classified as Islands of Awareness. Song offered an Environment of Potential to maximise these periods of emerging consciousness. The quantitative data analysis yielded inconclusive results in determining if music therapy was effective in reducing agitation during and immediately post the music therapy sessions. Conclusion: The process of micro-analysis illuminated four discrete participant behaviours not apparent in the immediate clinical setting. The results of this case suggest that the use of familiar song as a music therapy intervention may harness early patient responsiveness to foster cognitive rehabilitation in the early acute phase post-TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Agitation; Behavioral State; Children; Music Therapy; Observational Measures; Recreative Music Methods; Singing a Song; Symptom Management; Traumatic Brain Injury

Indexed Terms

Intervention; Children; Child Behavior; case study; Agitation; Psychomotor Agitation; Brain Injuries; Amnesia; Video Recording; Consciousness; traumatic brain injury; familiar song; Glasgow Coma Scale; mixed method; post-traumatic amnesia

Study Type

Mixed Methods

Document Type

Article

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