Songwriting Versus Recreational Music Therapy in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Cluster-randomized Study Measuring Readiness to Change
Journal
Journal of Substance Use
Year
2024
Abstract
There is a lack of studies differentiating music therapy interventions by measuring potential between-group differences and within-group improvements in detoxification settings. The purpose of the study was to compare group motivational-educational songwriting (MESW) and group recreational music therapy (RMT) as measured by readiness to change in adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) who were hospitalized on a detoxification unit. Participants were 91 adults with AUD on a detoxification unit who were cluster-randomized by session to a single group MESW or group RMT session. Participants completed the 24-item University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) at pre- and posttest. Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance indicated significant within-group improvements from pre- to posttest in measures of contemplation, action, and total readiness to change. Although between-group differences did not reach significance, posttest means were consistently more favorable in the MESW condition. Despite the temporal challenges of single sessions that are often the norm in detoxification settings, MESW and RMT may be ideal psychosocial treatments to augment people’s readiness to change and ultimately result in a higher likelihood of recovery. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.
Music and Health Institute Terms
Substance Use, Abuse and Addiction; Alcohol Use, Abuse and Addiction; Composition; Songwriting; Recreative Music Methods; Hospital Setting; Detox Setting; Self-Concept; Coping; Music Therapy; Subjective Measures
Indexed Terms
addiction; alcohol use disorder; detoxification; randomized; recreational music therapy; songwriting; substance use disorder
Study Type
Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Silverman, M. J. (2024). Songwriting Versus Recreational Music Therapy in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Cluster-randomized Study Measuring Readiness to Change. Journal of Substance Use, 1-6. Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-citations/1715
