Master’s theses

2017–2021

  • This master thesis outlines a music therapeutic offer for helping women to integrate and connect with their own female identity, sensuality and sexuality. The thesis looks at the topic “female identity and sexuality” from a historical, social and cultural point of view and describes the body experience and sexual health of women. On the basis of music therapeutic literature and approaches from other therapies, the thesis presents interventions and methods that could be suitable for engaging with the topic. A written survey with practicing music therapists examines the emergence of the topic and how competent the participants assess themselves concerning the handling of the topic. The results of the research show that specific areas of the subject appear often and music therapeutic interventions and methods are suitable for treating those. For other areas of the topic, that are also being described in the references, the research shows only few music therapeutic suitable approaches. In the final part of the paper, theoretical considerations point out to what extent music therapy could be suitable also for taboo subject areas and how they could be approached.

    Keywords:
    music therapy – sexuality – women – feminity – identity – womanhood – sexual health – gender – body – body image – women music therapy

  • Objective:
    Investigation of the relationship between the quality of interaction of a co-improvisation and the establishment of the therapeutic relationship.

    Methods:
    Between December 2020 and March 2021, 9 patients from a psychosomatic clinic were invited to fill out the Helping Alliance Questionnaire at the beginning of and after four music therapy sessions. With the Music Interaction Rating Scale, the co-improvisations that occurred during the study period were analyzed.

    Results:
    The assessment of the therapeutic relationship at the second measurement point is significantly higher than at the beginning of the music therapy. The therapist's assessment of the therapeutic relationship has a significantly positive correlation with the quality of interaction of the co-improvisations. The improvisation duration and the sum of the absolute differences between the improvisation qualities were identified as influencing factors. The psychological stress on the test subjects is negatively related to the therapy relationship perceived by the therapist.

    Conclusions:
    A positive development of the therapeutic relationship of the HAQ in the first four music therapy treatments could be related to the quality of interaction during music therapy co-improvisation.

    Keywords:
    music therapy, improvisation, co-improvisation, levels of musical interaction, therapeutic relationship, therapeutic alliance, common factors, Music Interaction Rating Scale, Helping Alliance Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Check List, psychosomatics.

  • Loneliness as a consequence of the inability to communicate one’s reality increases the suffering of people with mental disorders, while preserving stigmatizing structures. Analyses have shown that anti-stigma campaigns are more effective and enduring if they not only teach facts about mental disorders but engender familiarity with them. To achieve this goal, mental disorders must be made tangible for those who are not affected by them. Music has the ability to represent complex, ambiguous and illogical realities. Hence, this study proposes the use of music as a tool of research to gain an understanding of the everyday realities of five individuals with different mental disorders. The results will be presented as podcasts. The method used herein is a resonance-improvisational and -compositional approach which places this study in the young field of artistic research.

    Keywords: mental disorder, stigma, anti-stigma, familiarity, empathy, music as research, artistic research, psychiatry, resonance improvisation, resonance composition, composing music therapy

  • This thesis deals with the topic of music anamnesis. The theoretical part examines the importance of client’s music biography for music therapy, especially based on literature from the disciplines of developmental biology, neuroscience and music psychology. With the help of a written online survey of experienced music therapists as experts, the empirical study reveals how they capture the music biography of their clients, whether they could also imagine a music anamnesis using an app and who would be eligible for this procedure. In addition, the experts assess the items of an already developed app questionnaire for their relevance. It is hypothesized and verified that these items prove to be relevant for assessing the musical experience of clients. From the findings of this study, information on the further development of the app is derived.

    Keywords:
    Music Therapy – Music Anamnesis – Music Biography of Clients – Developmental Biology – Neuroscience – Music Psychology – Written Online Survey – App – Questionnaire – Relevance

  • This master thesis sets out to establish the role which music therapy could play in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). In the theoretical section, current research into the physical and psychological burden of AD is examined along with common psychological interventions used in AD and the role of stress in AD. The small amount of literature on music therapy with AD is assessed as are music therapy methods used in the treatment of psychosomatic pain, with parallels being drawn between the treatment of pain and itch. A small study is documented in the form of a single-session music therapy stress screening, to establish if the examination of stressors in everyday life can lead to stress reduction and even an improvement in skin condition for adult AD patients. Results are presented and discussed and a treatment concept for music therapy with AD is presented in the Conclusion.


    Keywords: Music therapy, atopic dermatitis, psychosomatic, itch, stress reduction, single-session music therapy, wheel of wellness.

  • This paper deals with the topic of “Music Therapy in Children’s Hospitals”. The theoretical part describes the effects of hospitalisation in childhood and adolescence and music therapy indications and methods in children’s hospitals. This is followed by findings and evidence from national and international studies. The empirical part shows how many children’s hospitals/departments in Switzerland offer music therapy in 2020 and where and how the music therapists are working. For this purpose, a survey was first carried out in all children's hospitals/departments in Switzerland and then a detailed questionnaire was created and sent to the music therapists working there. The results from the questionnaires were compared with findings from the literature and studies. The data analysis shows that 9 out of 33 Swiss children’s hospitals/departments offer music therapy. The findings from theory as well as from practice show that music therapy can be supportive for hospitalised children, adolescents and their relatives.


    Keywords: Music therapy Children's Hospital, paediatrics, evidence base

2016–2020

  • Music therapy with its powerful medium, music, can lead people in end-of-life care toward significant inner and outer changes, which can be transformative. On the basis of literature research and empirical data retrieved in qualitative interviews, this thesis investigates to what extent music therapy and in particular the functions of music contribute to improved coping and transformational changes for patients receiving palliative care. Resilience factors are extracted from resilience research and examined in relation to these therapeutically effective functions of music. Both factors and functions are discussed theoretically using examples from the therapeutic practice. The qualitative analysis of the data using the grounded theory method uncovers specific therapeutic settings as well as aspects of attitude as preconditions for change. The thesis concludes that various functions of music can strengthen the resilience of people at the end of their lives. Case studies show how transformational change occurs on different dimensions of human existence through music therapy.

    Music therapy, palliative care, hospice, change, transformation, functions of music, salutogenesis, resilience, resilience factors, musictherapeutic working factors, therapeutic attitude

  • The following information is designed to show how music therapy is implemented in a prenatal department. This is a combination of two disciplines – Nursing Science and Music Therapy. To begin, background information regarding prenatal development and high-risk pregnancy are required being provided. Research results in the field of music therapy with high-risk women are presented and the experiences of three music therapists who work in this area are reported. The findings of this work can determine the possibility of implementing music therapy in a prenatal department using these methods and theories of practical development. With this background and the inclusion of personal experience in the prenatal department at the University Hospital Zurich, a project of practice development is being designed. Recommendations are given and the possibility of implementing musictherapy with a practice development project in the prenatal department will be discussed.

    Music therapy, implementation, practice development, prenatal department

  • The therapeutic relationship is considered to be one of the most important factors in psychotherapy. Music therapy as a psychotherapeutically oriented treatment method uses music as its main medium. Music is seen as a means of building relationship. On the basis of literature and an empirical study, the questions of how the medium of music supports the shaping of the therapeutic relationship and what the specific potential of music in the therapeutic relationship is will be investigated. Various music-therapeutic relationship concepts and models are presented from the literature. Therapeutic functions of music which are considered relevant for the shaping of the relationship are the basis of the qualitative content analysis of eight semi-structured interviews, which were conducted with experienced music therapists from different professional fields. The paper concludes that music as a medium significantly supports the shaping of the therapeutic relationship by using music as a substitute for speech, pre-, post- or non-verbal. As a third component, music enriches and relieves the therapeutic relationship. Music can be used to feel, experience, change and reflect on the relationship in varied ways.
    Keywords: music therapy, therapeutic relationship, therapeutic alliance, contact, encounter, meeting, effect factor on therapeutic relationship, specific effect factors, therapeutic functions of music, music as an intermediate object.

  • This study looks at how music therapists can make use of the voice, especially humming and singing, during the pre-and postnatal period in the context of clinical music therapy.
    In an introductory part, the impact of the voice is examined in a general and in a more specific way during the pre-and postnatal period, taking into account state-of-the-art studies in the field.
    Then, a survey among music therapists on the goals, methods, and experiences regarding the use of vocal expression as a therapeutic means is evaluated. Three case studies are included in the evaluation. The outcome underlines that in the pre- and postnatal phase, the use of the voice, particularly singing, should be considered as an approach with a distinctive therapeutic potential. There are three main reasons for this: the use of the voice can reduce anxiety and stress of mothers, enhance the relationship between mother and baby, and stabilize a preterm baby.

    Keywords: voice, singing, mother’s voice, music therapy, high risk pregnancy, neonatology

  • This master thesis deals with the first improvisation in music therapy by the example of three patients suffering from depression. After a theoretical part about the first improvisation as well as depression in general three improvisations with patients without previous experience in music therapy show what kind of topics are expressed and what kind of relations with depressive symptoms can be seen. Therefore at the beginning the first improvisations will be analyzed using the method of “Description and Reconstruction” (Tüpker, 1988). Afterwards the conversations following the improvisations will be examined under the criteria of qualitative content analysis with regard to the questions. Every improvisation has a personal character. Several interesting relations with symptoms of the patients can be shown in all improvisations.

    Keywords: music therapy – first improvisation – depression – conversation – expression

  • The focus of this study is the examination of the therapeutic effect in a series of five mono-chord-based interventions. 48 voluntary and healthy participants were treated by qualified sound therapists over a period of 20 minutes in a naturalistic setting. A standardised question-ary was applied for the measurement of their states before and after the intervention. The in-fluence of age, gender and practitioners were examined. There is a significant effect in the positive change of state. This effect was more positive for female and the younger people. There were similar findings for the change of state for all practitioners groups. Additonally this study examined the experiences on a personal level for 6 participants in an extra-setting at their workplace. The down-sides of this study were discussed and implications for future re-search are illustrated.
    Keywords: Monochord, Sound, Music Therapy, Sound Therapy, Altered State of Conscious-ness, Mental State, Trance

2014–2018

  • This paper examines to what extent receptive music therapy, in particular the live performance of a sound couch, may influence parasympathetic activity of a human due to vibroacoustics. The research part section is based on a quantitative controlled pilot study with twelve young and healthy adults between 19 and 31, who let the sounds of the sound couch sink in, once acoustically while lying on the floor mat, and once vibroacoustically on the sound couch. For this experiment, six women and six men had to undergo clinical trials twice in a fortnight at the same time of day. Before and after the live performance, their heart rate variability (HRV) was measured and likewise their mood determined by means of the Self-Rating Mood Scale (Bf- SR) by von Zerssen and Petermann (2011) and aNumerical Rating Scale (NRS). Concerning the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, the results showed a trend in
    the pre-post effect and even significant effects on the NRS. With regard to the relaxing effect, however, it did not make a difference whether the person had been lying on the sound couch oron the floor mat during the intervention of the receptive music therapy.

    Keywords
    acoustic and vibroacoustic stimulation – parasympathetic activation – heart rate variability –
    sound couch – receptive music therapy – Polyvagal Theory – Self-Rating Mood Scale (Bf-SR)
    by von Zerssen and Petermann – Numerical Rating Scale

  • Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit einer rezeptiven musiktherapeutischen Intervention mithilfe des Monochords in einer Unterstufenklasse an einer Regelschule bei sechs- bis achtjährigen Kindern. Dabei wurde untersucht, ob das zweimal
    wöchentlich im Klassenverband stattfindende Für-Spiel mit dem Monochord eine positive Wirkung in Bezug auf die Entspannung und die Aufmerksamkeit hat. Die Klassenlehrperson wählte drei unruhige Kinder aus. Vor Beginn der Projektphase und
    danach wurden die Aufmerksamkeit, die Hyperaktivität und die Impulsivität mittels eines Fragebogens erhoben. Das Augenmerk wurde auf die Verbesserung der Aufmerksamkeit dieser Kinder gelegt. Alle Kinder füllten vor und nach der Intervention mit
    dem Monochord einen Fragebogen mit Smileys aus. Dieser Bogen wurde quantitativ ausgewertet. Bei den ausgewählten drei Kindern ergab sich eine Verbesserung in der Aufmerksamkeit. Die Auswertung der Smiley-Fragebögen ergab, dass das
    Monochordspiel Einfluss auf die Entspannung der Kinder hat.

    Keywords: Monochord – Musiktherapie in der Schule – Entspannung – Aufmerksamkeit – Wahrnehmung – Gehirn

  • Musiktherapeutische Verfahren haben sich in der Neonatologie zunehmend etabliert. Vor dem Hintergrund der Bindungstheorie wird in jüngerer Zeit verstärkt darauf geachtet, die Eltern in die Intervention einzubeziehen. Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, inwiefern die musiktherapeutische Arbeit die depressiven Symptome der Eltern lindern und dadurch das Beziehungsgeschehen zwischen Kind und Eltern positiv beeinflussen kann. Dazu wurden in einer randomisierten Pilotstudie 14 Elternpaare zu drei Zeitpunkten mit einem «Mixed-Method-Ansatz» mittels Fragebogen und Elterninterviews befragt. Quantitative Ergebnisse: In der Musiktherapiegruppe (MG, n = 9) nahm die depressive Symptomatik mit der Zeit signifikant ab, in der Kontrollgruppe (KG, n = 5) hingegen 2 nicht. In Bezug auf das Beziehungsgeschehen zeigte sich, dass das Gefühl körperlicher Nähe bei der MG im Unterschied zur KG rascher und statistisch signifikant zunahm. Die qualitative Befragung der MG bestätigte den Befund, dass Musiktherapie das Beziehungsgeschehen positiv zu unterstützen vermag.

    Keywords: Ängstlichkeit, Bindung, postpartale Depression, Frühgeburt, Musiktherapie, Neonatologie, Pictorial Representation of Attachment

  • Basierend auf Theorien zur Entwicklungspsychologie und zur nonverbalen Kommunikation wird das manualisierte musiktherapeutische Beobachtungsverfahren zur Einschätzung der Eltern-Kinder-Interaktion APCI (Assessment of Parent-Child Interaction) für Kinder zwischen 5 und 12 Jahren vorgestellt. Dieses Abklärungsinstrument richtet seinen Blick auf die Eltern-Kind-Dyade und wurde für den Kinderschutz entwickelt, speziell für Situationen, in denen emotionale Vernachlässigung des Kindes vermutet wird. Mit dem APCI werden die wechselseitige Abstimmung in der Eltern-Kind-Interaktion, die nonverbale Kommunikation, das Autonomieverhalten des Kindes und die elterliche emotionale Unterstützung beurteilt. Anhand von drei exemplarischen Fallstudien werden die Erfahrungen in der Anwendung des APCI dargestellt. Nach der gemeinsamen Zielformulierung in Anlehnung an die Resultate des Assessments wird in der Mutter-Kind-Dyade eine musiktherapeutische Interventionsphase von rund drei Monaten Dauer angeschlossen. Zum Abschluss findet erneut eine Sitzung nach APCI statt, welche Rückschlüsse über die Veränderung in der Interaktion zwischen Mutter und Kind und dem Bindungsverhalten zulässt. Durch den Vergleich der Resultate des APCI kann die Veränderung in den fokussierten Bereichen der Eltern-Kind-Dyade und damit der Effekt von 6 respektive 8 musiktherapeutischen Sitzungen festgehalten und quantifiziert werden.

    Keywords: Kinderschutz, emotionale Vernachlässigung, wechselseitiges Abstimmungsverhalten, nonverbale Kommunikation, Bindungsverhalten, musiktherapeutische Beurteilung der Eltern-Kind-Interaktion (APCI), Musiktherapie in der Eltern-Kind-Dyade und ihre Effekte

  • Diese Arbeit beschreibt die vielseitigen Ansatzmöglichkeiten des Therapeutischen Songwritings und zeigt anhand dokumentierter Praxisbeispiele wie es mit Jugendlichen angewendet werden kann. Den roten Faden bildet die Frage, ob Therapeutisches Songwriting für die musiktherapeutische Arbeit mit Jugendlichen geeignet ist undwelche Aspekte sich für den therapeutischen Prozess als besonders förderlich erweisen. Eine Literaturrecherche, teilnehmende Beobachtung sowie ein Fragebogen bilden das Untersuchungsdesign. Diese mehrperspektivische Datenerhebung belegt die Vermutung der Autorin, dass das Therapeutische Songwriting mehr Aufmerksamkeit in der musiktherapeutischen Fachliteratur verdient.

    Keywords: Therapeutisches Songwriting, improvisiertes Lied, selbstgestaltetes Lied, Kontrafaktur, Song Parody, Original Songwriting, Song Collage, Musiktherapie mit Jugendlichen, Musik im Jugendalter, Jugendliche mit psychosomatischen und psychiatrischen Diagnosen.

  • In der Musiktherapie-Literatur sind die Bezüge zur Säuglingsforschung zahlreich. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Analogien zwischen den Interaktionen des Säuglings mit seinen Bezugspersonen und Austauschprozessen in der Musiktherapie beleuchtet. Aufbauend auf Daniel Sterns Modell zur Entwicklung des Selbst werden die Begriffe Kohärenz, Synchronität und Reziprozität als zentrale Qualitäten des Abstimmungsprozesses zwischen Bezugsperson und Säugling herausgearbeitet. Diese drei Begriffe werden im zweiten Teil der Arbeit zur Analyse des Datenmaterials verwendet. Die Daten stammen aus einer videobasierten Mikroanalyse zweier Therapieereignisse aus der Musiktherapie an einer Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie. Die Perspektive der Säuglingsforschung erweist sich bei der Analyse der Therapieereignisse als sinnstiftend und aufschlussreich. Zahlreiche Merkmale des frühen Bezugsperson-Kind-Dialoges werden in der Analyse der zwei Therapieereignisse wiedererkannt. Abschliessend wird eine Hypothese in Bentg auf die Wirkung von Musiktherapie im Bereich der sozialen Kompetenzen formuliert.

    Keywords: Musiktherapie, Entwicklungspsychologie, Säuglingsforschung, soziale Kompetenzen, frühe Bezugsperson-Kind-Interaktionen, videobasierte Mikroanalyse, Kohärenz, Synchronität, Reziprozität, Improvisation

  • In der vorliegenden Masterarbeit wird untersucht, inwiefern sich Singgruppen in der stationären Gerontopsychiatrie gleichen und unterscheiden, wenn sie durch verschiedene Berufsgattungen geleitet werden. Dabei wird auf die drei Berufsgruppen Musiktherapie, Ergotherapie und Seelsorge eingegangen. Im ersten Teil werden die Voraussetzungen diskutiert. Im zweiten Teil wird eine empirische Untersuchung anhand von Experteninterviews durchgeführt und in Bezug auf die Unterschiede zwischen den befragten Berufsgruppen ausgewertet. Dabei werden insbesondere die Aspekte Setting, Methodik, Ziele und Wirkfaktoren berücksichtigt. Die auffälligsten berufsgruppenspezifischen Unterschiede zeigen sich in Bezug auf die Kommunikation mittels Musik und in den daraus resultierenden praktischen Umsetzungen wie dem Umgang mit Liederbüchern, der Liederwahl und der Liedbegleitung. Die Auswertung der Interviews zeigt, dass der berufsbedingte Fokus der jeweiligen Berufsgruppen das Leiten der Singgruppen prägt.

    Keywords: Gerontopsychiatrie, Singen, Singgruppe, Setting, Methodik, Ziele, Wirkfaktoren, Kommunikation durch Musik, Berufsgruppe, Musiktherapie, Ergotherapie, Seelsorge

  • In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurde der Fragestellung nachgegangen, inwiefern in einer Institution für Menschen mit einer chronischen psychischen Erkrankung unterschiedliche musiktherapeutische Angebote genutzt werden und ob durch das spezifische Angebot der Trommelgruppe Ziele wie Erweiterung des Handlungsspielraums und Stärkung des Interaktionsverhaltens erreicht werden können. Während der Dauer von zwölf Monaten wurden auf freiwilliger Basis regelmässig eine Singgruppe, eine Trommelgruppe und eine Entspannungsgruppe angeboten. Insgesamt konnten 86 Therapieeinheiten stattfinden. Die quantitative, statistische Auswertung zeigte eine weithin konstante Teilnehmerzahl. Alle drei Angebote fanden Anklang. Die Auswertung einer Auswahl von Videoaufnahmen der Trommelgruppe mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse machte deutlich, dass durch das gemeinsame Trommeln sowohl der Handlungsspielraum wie auch das Interaktionsverhalten der Teilnehmenden gefördert werden können.

    Keywords: austherapiert / chronisch psychisch krank / Finanzierung / Musiktherapie / Trommelgruppe / therapeutische Beziehung / Doppelrolle / Interaktion / Handlungsspielraum / qualitative Inhaltsanalyse

  • In dieser prospektiven Interventionsstudie wurde untersucht, wie die Methode der rezeptiven Live-Musik am Pflegebett auf Patientinnen und Patienten einer neurologischen Intensiv-Rehabilitation wirkt. Die betroffenen Menschen leiden an verschiedenen Arten von erworbe-ner Hirnschädigung und haben in dieser frühen Rehabilitationsphase oft noch keinen tages-zeitlich gebundenen Schlaf-Wach-Rhythmus. Sie erhielten über eine kurze Zeitdauer all-abendlich zur immer gleichen Zeit direkt an sie gerichteten beruhigenden Live-Gesang. Die Untersuchung zeigt anhand von filmisch festgehaltener Pulsmessung und Protokollen, dass ein Zusammenhang zwischen Pulsbewegung und Momenten der Berührung beobachtet werden konnte.

    Keywords: Hirnschädigung; Live-Gesang; Messung Vitalparameter; Musiktherapie bei Schlafstörung; Schlafqualität; Tag-Nacht-Rhythmus.

  • Die Musiktherapie unterscheidet sich ganz wesentlich von anderen Therapieformen, indem sie sich der Musik als Mittel der therapeutischen Beziehungs- und Prozessgestaltung bedient. Die Musikinstrumente sind ein wesentliches Element innerhalb dieses Prozesses. Die vorliegende Literaturrecherche beabsichtigt, a) zu erfassen, welche Musikinstrumente Untersuchungsgegenstand in musiktherapeutischen Fachzeitschriften sind, b) aufzuzeigen, mit welcher Häufigkeit über die einzelnen Instrumente geschrieben wird, c) herauszufinden, welche Untersuchungsmethoden den Artikeln zu Grunde liegen und d) zu ermitteln, welche Themen mit den Publikationen abgedeckt werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Palette an untersuchten Musikinstrumenten vielfältig ist, über Schlag- und Effektinstrumente am meisten publiziert wird und der Erfahrungsbericht von Therapiepersonen die bevorzugte Untersuchungsmethode ist. Studien mit einem hohen Evidenzgrad hingegen liegen erst wenige vor.

    Keywords: Musiktherapie - Musikinstrumente – Literaturrecherche

  • Eine Methode zur therapeutischen Prozess- und Beziehungsgestaltung ist das Lied. Die vorliegende Literaturrecherche beabsichtigt, die veröffentlichten musiktherapeutischen Artikel zur Methode Lied zu erfassen, die Eigenschaften des Liedes darzulegen sowie zu eruieren, was über den Einsatz der Methode Lied in den einzelnen Fachgebieten publiziert wurde. Ebenso beabsichtigt diese Arbeit aufzuzeigen, welche Liedkategorien in welchem Arbeitsfeld vermehrt zum Einsatz kommen. Im  Bereich von Demenz existiert am meisten publizierte Literatur. Einzelfallstudien und Erfahrungsberichte von Therapiepersonen erweisen sich als die bevorzugten Untersuchungsmethoden. Studien mit einem hohen Evidenzgrad liegen erst wenige vor. Im Bereich der Demenzforschung und im Zusammenhang von Sprache und melodischem Erinnerungsvermögen liegen einige Forschungsergebnisse mit hohem Evidenzgrad vor. Diese Studien sind meist nicht mit der musiktherapeutischen Arbeit verknüpft, obwohl auch sie mit Liedern arbeiten. Im Bereich der Aphasie können mit der Methode Lied nachweislich Erfolge erzielt werden. Trotzdem lässt die Literatur noch keine generellen Schlüsse betreffend der Evidenz der Methode Lied zu.

    Keywords: Musiktherapie – Lied – Literaturrecherche

  • In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird das Phänomen der Resonanzbereitschaft bei kleinen Kindern mit einer intermodalen Störung untersucht. Ausgehend von der Prämisse, dass Resonanzbereitschaft ein grundlegendes Vermögen des Menschen ist, wird deren Intensivierung als Basis für jede Form von Kommunikation angestrebt. Das erste Kapitel beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema Heilpädagogik und den Berührungspunkten zur Musiktherapie. Danach werden in Kapitel 2 die theoretischen Aspekte zur Resonanzbereitschaft erläutert und die konstitutiven Elemente für eine resonanzbereite Haltung und ihre Förderung hervorgehoben. Im Untersuchungsteil werden Videosequenzen mit der Methode der Beschreibung und Rekonstruktion bezüglich der Resonanzbereitschaft ausgewertet und diskutiert. Die Auswertung zeigt, dass der Fokus auf Resonanzbereitschaft innerhalb des musiktherapeutischen Prozesses die Bereitschaft zur Resonanz beim Kind intensivieren kann.

    Keywords: Resonanz, Resonanzbereitschaft, Therapeutische Präsenz, Musiktherapie, Heilpädagogische Früherziehung, Beschreibung und Rekonstruktion

  • Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Methode des musiktherapeutisch begleiteten Instrumental-Lernens (MtbI) und ihre Auswirkung auf Jugendliche in einer psychischen Krise. Mary Priestley beschrieb einen identischen Ansatz. Welche Auswirkungen hat das MtbI auf den Klienten? Welche Beziehungen, Überschneidungen und Unterschiede bestehen zwischen dem MtbI und musikpädagogischem Instrumentalunterricht? Diese Fragen wurden anhand der Prozesse mit sechs Jugendlichen untersucht, die sich stationär auf einer Akut- resp. Psychotherapiestation in einer psychiatrischen Einrichtung befanden. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung deuten stark darauf hin, dass das MtbI eine Problemaktualisierung hervorruft und Ressourcen (das Instrumentalspiel) aktiviert, die von den Jugendlichen auch ausserhalb der Therapiesitzungen angewendet werden können. Es wurde ausserdem erkannt, dass das Selbstkonzept der Jugendlichen positiv beeinflusst wird, sich die Jugendlichen entspannen, Freude, Antrieb und Motivation erfahren. Das MtbI verwebt Musiktherapie mit Instrumentalpädagogik und führt sie zusammen. Es scheint nachweislich eine positive und nachhaltige Auswirkung auf die psychische Verfassung der Jugendlichen zu haben.

    Keywords: musiktherapeutisch begleitetes Instrumental-Lernen - Musiktherapie - musikpädagogischer Instrumentalunterricht - Musikpädagogik - musiktherapeutische Ansätze im Instrumentalunterricht - therapeutische Ansätze im Instrumentalunterricht - Instrumentalpädagogik - therapeutische Aspekte in der Musikpädagogik - therapeutischer Musikunterricht - therapeutischer Unterricht

2012–2016

  • In the present thesis, therapeutic singing with patients with dementia is studied. In the theory section, various dementia diseases, the act of singing, and song are described, within the context of music therapy as related to specialist literature. In the hypotheses, it is postulated that the singing of songs can physically energise and relax persons with dementia, while increasing social interaction, reawakening memories, and triggering various emotions. For this purpose, two groups in varying stages of dementia were studied weekly over several months. In the middle section of the thesis, the results of this study are presented in three reports and various diagrams. In the final section, the results are discussed in relation to the specialist literature.

    Keywords: Dementia – dementia stages – age – singing – song – active music therapy -– social interaction – activation – memories – physical reactions

  • A scientific study using the morphological procedure «Description and Reconstruction»

    By reference to a systematic research of literature, the presented study initially examines the foundations of the phenomenon of voice from a linguistic and socio-psychological point of view. Philosophy offers an important contribution to this phenomenon, as well. The functional clinical pictures and their potential – which are embedded in a cultural, social and individual context – are emphasized from a medical, psychosomatic and psychodynamic perspective. This cognition is a prerequisite to understanding the phenomenon, as well as its symptoms and their meaning, and to examine if, by including the morphological method Description and Reconstructing, voice may be put to use in music-therapeutic diagnostics. The comparative study is performed by means of a single case vignette. It is determined to which extent diagnostic statements can be gained for music therapy.
    The study indicates that by the first-time application of the method Description and Reconstruction to the phenomenon of voice, valuable diagnostic insights can be gained, and moreover, there can be gained a raising awareness of the phenomenon of the voice, thus enabling the deduced focal points of treatment to be complemented and expanded.

    Key words: Voice, vocal disturbances, voice and soul, voice and mood, music-therapeutic diagnostics, Morphological music therapy

  • Unterwegs
    Musiktherapeutische Arbeit in einem Empfangszentrum mit Flüchtlingskindern mit ungewisser Zukunft
    Von Jeannine Hirzel

    Abstract

    The present paper has as its subject the possible challenges awaiting a music therapist during his or her work with refugee children in an asylum centre, and investigates a humanist approach to the difficulties that may occur as part of that work. Above all I investigate the following areas: the reasons for and the consequences of fleeing, intercultural psychotherapy, the Swiss asylum system and various areas of music therapy. Central aspects of my work are an examination of the high degree of flexibility demanded of therapists, and the volatility of children. I also discuss and shed light on some of the difficulties, strengths and possibilities inherent in a music-therapeutic project such as “Unterwegs”, which takes place within the narrow strictures of the asylum system.
    Keywords: Flight, migration, refugee, children, music therapy, asylum centre.

  • Abstract
    In this master thesis the author examines the systemic, resource-oriented approach within the Inner System in the context of music therapy. The first part discusses the theoretical background of systemic therapy and the Inner System. The Inner System consists of the Self and various parts of the personality. The second part describes the transmission of the theoretical background on music therapy. Through different interventions within music therapy the practical applications will be outlined. The third part is made up of the empirical research in which five expert interviews were carried out and evaluated. The metaphor of the Inner Orchestra, which is an often-used term in music therapy, served as the initial hypothesis. The findings show that the metaphor of the Inner Orchestra is rarely or never applied. The reason being that music therapy uses the clients’ metaphor as a starting point and this metaphor does not include a conductor in the Inner System. The systemic, resource-oriented music therapy practice with the Inner System is individually understood and implemented.

    Keywords: Inner System, Inner Orchestra, Music Therapy, Interventions in Music Therapy Practice, Parts of Personality, resource-oriented, Self, systemic

  • The focus of this thesis is to explore the significance of Gerda Bächli's work, including her songs for music therapy. Information on this subject comes from her legacy and the viewpoint of contemporaries who responded to an in-depth questionnaire. The thesis outlines Gerda Bächli's pedagogical and therapeutic work, its approach and importance for music therapy, and also her philosophy of life. Some chapters focus on the subjects of singing and songs, especially with handicapped people, and songwriting. Gerda Bächli's activities and musical compositions have contributed in a fundamental way to the conceptual framework and methods used in music therapy. An autonomous, free-minded woman, and a pioneer in musical work with handicapped people, Gerda Bächli directly influenced the professional methods in the field of Music Therapy developing in Switzerland during the 1970s. Her humanistic viewpoints, her emphasis on the essential and the effective, as seen in her writings and the use of her songs, have set the way for music therapy today.

    Keywords: Gerda Bächli, Songwriter, children’s songs, music therapy, Special Education

  • This essay deals with the reconstruction of a person's identity after a stroke, andmusic therapy relating thereto. A literature research to finding a purpose andidentity construction shows that both processes are effectively mutually supportive. The free improvisation in music therapy proves for both processes to be conducive. The analysis of four interviews held with people who suffered astroke, shows that for finding a purpose, it is beneficial to have trust in this processand to believe in a transcendental force. In addition, connections will be shownbetween the way how a person formulates their identity, the purpose they have found, and how they value the contribution of music therapy to this process. Aninteresting potential is shown by ‘Now Moments’ which can arise in music therapyas spontaneous relationship experiences. In such moments, the process of finding a purpose and constructing a new identity are united.

  • The main purpose of this thesis is to find out if and how music therapy can provide children in a centre for asylum seekers with a sheltered place where they are allowed to experience feelings of emotional security, stability and trust. Reflections about the so-called ‘foreign’ in the other and in oneself are important.The significance of culture for intercultural psychotherapy and important processes of human development are described. Basic knowledge about traumahelps to understand the behaviour of these children. The useful concepts of ‘safe place’ and ‘transcultural interspace’ are described and examined with the help of participant observation. This theoretic background is required for the music therapy project in order that the children can be accompanied and supported in an optimal way.

    The evaluation shows that – owing to the ‘(transcultural) safe place’, to a culturesensitive therapeutic attitude and a trustful relation – the children were not only able to experience emotional security, stability and trust, but also to live their culture of origin and to feel respected.

    Keywords: Migration – Flucht – Kollektivunterkunft – Fremdes – Eigenes – Kultur – Safe Place – Transkultureller Übergangsraum – Trauma – Interkulturelle Psychotherapie – Musiktherapie

  • A music therapy concept as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment ofchronic bruxism (clenching and/or grinding of teeth)

    The following master thesis deals with the symptom of chronic bruxism in adults. Bruxism is defined as the clenching and grinding of teeth. Causes, risk factors and their implications are discussed and, in particular, stress as the major risk factor is dealt with. The research section aims to verify if music therapy, with emphasis on the voice, is effective as an adjunctive therapy method. Until today no studies exist on this subject in otherwise healthy adults. The music therapy concept used includes three consecutive phases: Receptive music therapy for passive recreation, active music therapy for active relaxation as well as outdoor music therapy as an additional relaxation offer. Vocal exercises performed daily complete the treatment concept. The results show significant to highly significant improvements in relation to certain stress parameters. Based on these results, music therapy is a suitable therapeutic method as an additional treatment of chronic bruxism.

    Keywords: Chronic bruxism – clenching and grinding of teeth – stress – therapy – music therapy – receptive and active music therapy – improvisation – voice – heart rate variability HRV

  • The present master thesis examines the music therapeutic accompaniment of siblings of children with cancer. In the theoretical part of the thesis, the importance of the sibling relationship is demonstrated. After this, the effects of a child’s cancer on the healthy siblings are explained as well as strains, resources and coping strategies of these siblings.
    In the practical part, the “mobile music therapy” will be presented, a project, which has been designed specifically for this thesis and in which the therapist accompanies the siblings through music therapy home visits. With the help of treatment protocols, the researcher examines whether strains on families can be detected, and if "mobile music therapy" catches on. Next to this, the research determines whether this type of accompaniment strengthens resources and / or may also provide a space for difficult topics.

    Keywords: Siblings – children – home visit – cancer – mobile music therapy – project description

  • Promoting empathy in young violent offenders plays a central role for lowering their risk of reoffending. This is done by working through relevant biographical experiences and their own victimization and linking them emotionally. The multi-sensory approach, music therapy treatment combined with exploring of motoric coordination and physical balance, forms an effective way to promote empathy. In the preverbal atmosphere of musical improvisation relevant personality traits show particularly clear and become available to a conscious processing.
    40 juvenile and adolescent offenders were testes. 16 treated with music therapy were compared to a group which has been treated with other therapies. The risk of reoffending (Violence Risk Appraisal Guide), empathy (Saarbrücker Persönlichkeitsfragebogen) and the musical perception abilities (Mini Profile of Music Perception Skills) were examined. In a subset 16 offenders were retested with their empathy and musical skills at two points of time.
    Result: Music therapy furthers empathy when the latent musical potential of the offender is used by an active music therapy or brought into consciousness.

    Keywords: empathy, recognition of emotions, musical perception skills, offense oriented therapy, violent crime, PROMS, SPF, VRAG, music therapy, musicality, antisocial PD, reducing the risk of reoffending.

  • The present study deals with the issue of subtle structures of music, with their perception and with their possible effects on the psychological experiential level. The connection between ordering processes and healing processes of living organisms is presumed as hypothesis. The study is being carried out mainly quantitatively by using audio samples and questionnaires; the study group consists of healthy adults. The specificity of the structuring quality concerning the melodic-rhythmic-dynamic micro area of the audio samples has its theoretical basis in the models of formation of order regarding system sciences, neurosciences, gestalt psychology and musical therapy.

    The results tend to confirm the perceptibility of the researched phenomena and might be used as a pretest for further studies. Further researching projects are recommended for this purpose.

    Keywords: Perception – Order – Listening – Music – Musical Therapy – System Sciences – Neurosciences – Gestalt Psychology

  • A traditional christian technique, explored from the perspective of music therapy and realized in a church project

    Singing the psalms is a centuries-old Christian way of practice. This thesis explores its potential in the field of music therapy. The evidence of the ecclesiastic sources concerning this topic corresponds to the findings of different modern therapeutical approaches.
    A project building up on this knowledge was realized in a church setting. It consisted of a weekly sung prayer at vespers followed by a deepening group talk. Here the participants could exchange experiences made while singing and were informed about possible ways of practicing. Research based on this project shows that singing the psalms has a structuring effect on the psyche that is related to its strong ritualistic properties. Additionally the repetitive and sound-centred technique of responsorial singing can especially be used for trance induction and to consolidate affirmative thoughts as in cognitive therapy. The latter is also true for the technique of ruminatio (prayer of the heart). Apart from this aspects of mindfulness were successfully practiced.

    Keywords: Psalmody – singing the psalms – psalms – music therapy – vespers – trance induction – cognitive therapy – prayer of the heart – mantra – mindfulness

  • This work describes methods of an initial consultation in the music therapy in the area of psycho-oncology. Theoretical concepts from psycho-oncological and music-therapeutic literature are described. Examples of methods used by music therapists may be observed based on various articles. Practical concepts of music therapists working in practice are described from guided expert interviews.
    The study of above-mentioned examples and concepts is focusing on the question of the method used by the therapists and to what extent it is implicit. Since the concepts of the music therapists are being studied according to time, technique and content they may be compared with the constructs of the therapy manual.
    The results mainly allow conclusions as to a possible implicit structure generally used and if necessary individually adapted in the methods of the single therapists.

    Keywords: Music therapy – initial contact – initial consultation – implicit knowledge – psycho-oncology –  manualisation – theory – practical experience – method

  • Based on fundamental assumptions and concepts of attachment theory, this thesis demonstrates the causes and related factors underlying the development of a disorganized attachment model or attachment disorder. The effects on the child’s later development and on delayed milestones will be described.
    The thesis investigates the question of whether music therapy can help children with attachment disorganization and attachment disorder to develop new attachment behaviour. Two case studies analyse the therapeutic process in primary school children by focusing on critical periods of attachment that affect attachment behaviour. Furthermore, the appropriateness and therapeutic effectiveness of music therapy methods are tested and compared with psychotherapeutic approaches to treatment.
    Results from theory and practice show that music therapy can provide at least some help for primary school children with attachment disorganization and attachment disorder in developing new attachment behaviour. Successful treatment depends on constructive collaboration with parents, possibly in conjunction with parental psychotherapy.

    Keywords: Attachment disorganization – attachment disorder – continuity and discontinuity of attachment – diagnostic assessment of attachment quality at primary school age – attachment behaviours – music therapy – music therapy methods in attachment disorganization and attachment disorder

  • Following the birth of a child, the mother's life situation changes. If the mother finds this change difficult, she may be at risk of developing a mental disorder. The most common condition is postpartal depression, which can cause lasting damage to the mother-child relationship.
    Three mothers with postpartal depression were treated with musical therapy for this study. The mothers were then asked in qualitative interviews about how their condition changed and about which therapeutical musical methods they considered to be most effective. The recordings of the interview were then examined to gauge how the subjects' condition changed.
    The results showed that the music therapy triggered positive change among the mothers in relevant areas including “self-awareness”, “self-effectiveness”, “relaxation” and “perfectionism”. On the other hand, it was not possible to identify any particularly effective methods; what we saw instead was that the variety of therapeutical musical methods and their adaptability to the mothers and their needs is the key to improving their condition.

    Keywords: Postpartal depression – mother-child relationship – change in condition – self-effectiveness – self-awareness – perfectionism – relaxation – music therapy – musical therapeutic methods

  • The present master thesis focuses on children with behavioural problems. The aim of this study is to illustrate the influence of family and surrounding systems on a child's development and to show how parents can be involved in music therapy work.
    The first, rather theoretical part examines basic aspects of behavioural problems, communication, system theory and system therapy. The second, more practical part, illustrates a music therapy program, which has been developed for this master thesis. The program was carried out with two children with behaviour problems in individual settings and involved parent-teacher interviews. This study shows which interventions affect the communication behaviour of the child positively, and how the therapy program supports the child’s development by/through regularly scheduled meetings with parents.

    Keywords: Behaviour – child behaviour problem – family – system therapy – communication – work with parents

  • This master’s thesis evaluates the use of music therapy on special care units for people with severe dementia and impairments in motion and perception. The music therapist faces  exceptional challenges regarding empathy, responsiveness, flexibility and self care.
    The key question is whether and how a therapeutic relationship may emerge given the difficult circumstances and lead, together with the music, to a therapeutic effect. As a direct survey of the patients is not possible, and measurements on them are ethically at least  questionable, this research uses non-participant observation of some treatment sequences, and additional interviews of nurturing people.

    Keywords:  special care unit – music therapy – dementia – atmosphere – voice – therapeutic relationship – transcendence

2010–2014

  • An overview of the current state of music therapy in Swiss music schools for the school year 2013/2014

    This paper deals with the current state of music therapy at Swiss music schools in the school year 2013/2014. The theoretical part examines the development and profile of music schools and music therapy for children and youths; it also focuses on music therapy in a pedagogical context as offered by music schools. In the practical part the research was carried out by means of two questionnaires based on the mixed method research model. The first step was to survey the situation of music therapy offered in Swiss music schools. Then, practicing music therapists were interviewed on various aspects of their work.
    The evaluation of the data reveals that 12 out of 431 music schools in Switzerland offer music therapy as a subject. In addition, this evaluation shows that providing music therapy could be valuable and meaningful for children and youths with special needs.

  • This study researches self-care and mindfulness-based self-care practised by music therapists. Following a correspondence course, the music therapists practised mindful­ness techniques. On the one hand, these techniques promoted self-care and, on the other hand, they enhanced the quality of that self-care with mindfulness. The present study develops theoretical bases of mindfulness, self-care and mindfulness-based self-care. The decisive data was collected by means of a nine-week experiment and two written surveys. Mindfulness was measured according to the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Analysis of data shows that test persons who practised the mindfulness techniques four or more times a week significantly improved their mindfulness.

  • The present thesis focuses on the interplay of structure and freedom in music therapy work with children. As a start, investigations about the question of the importance of structure and freedom in child's development are made, particularly in terms of game and music. Furthermore, structure and freedom, order and chaos with regards to music games and the effective elements of music are displayed.
    The focus is on the music therapy methods with children. On the basis of music therapy literature, the interplay of structure and freedom in the methods silence, improvisation, song, body-centred music as well as playing and handling music instruments is examined and illustrated by relevant case studies.

  • A pilot study to determine the suitability of audio recordings for practice purposes

    The present work deals with the learning of the clinical techniques for improvisation in music therapy. In the theoretical part the topics musical and music therapeutic improvisation, emotional expression on instruments and the possibility of transferring this research to the clinical techniques with consideration of intuition are discussed. In the methodological part recordings are examined by questionnaire to find out whether and where they could be used in the learning process.
    Based on these findings the prospect of an improved study is developed and includes which possibilities could result in a future study for teaching purposes.

  • Development of a conceptual musictherapy treatment approach

    In patient youth forensic psychiatry is a relatively new field in Switzerland, which resulted from the revision of the juvenile justice code in 2007, and was established with the opening of the first inpatient youth forensic department within UPK Basel in 2011. This work sheds light on this field, and describes the introduction of music therapy as well as the process of developing a conceptual music therapy treatment approach by examining therapy programmes according to shared points of focus. Using Winnicott's object relations theory and Balint's work on regression, theoretical benchmarks were identified which allow the formulation of work hypotheses and the setting of goals for music therapy treatment, as well as the development and implementation of a music therapy treatment approach. Using surveys done within the interdisciplinary treatment team and amongst patients, the first year's work will be evaluated in terms of its integration into the department's multimodal treatment concept.

  • The present work deals with the atmospheric interactions and design possibilities of inner and outer spaces in terms of music therapy. The theoretical part deals with a general, short definition in the historical overview, with perception and design of atmospheres and the relationship between atmosphere and aesthetics. Furthermore, specific music therapy atmospheres, their formation and the design options, are examined and described. The empirical part consists of the evaluation of responses to an interview question concerning therapeutic work environment and its design. The question was asked 26 experienced music therapists in the magazine “Musiktherapeutische Umschau“ under the heading “Nachgefragt“. The survey period extends over several years.
    The study shows that atmospheric events are an essentiel tool in music therapy. Spatial conditions, the quality of the relationship events, attitudes and therapeutic interventions are parameters that are considered as formative for the atmosphere in the therapeutic setting.

  • In patients with somatoform pain, a somatic treatment alone rarely shows any satisfying results, because their psychosocial factors, which usually play a major role in the origin of their symptoms, remain untreated. In including these aspects, music therapy offers possibilities for an integral treatment of these patients.
    This systematic review examines the music therapeutic methods which are used in the treatment of people with somatoform pain and other chronic nonmalignant pain syndromes. The results of the studies on the efficacy of these methods, published in the validity period of the ICD-10, are summarized and followed by implications for the music therapeutic practise.

  • Based on the assumption that man seeks stability in life, the question arises whether emptiness can provide for stability in music therapy and if so how. Emptiness is examined from the perspectives of quantum physics, philosophy, psychology, music and music therapy. Case vignettes are investigated in therapy sessions found to be relevant in their connection to emptiness and put in connection with the theoretical findings. The human condition in between creation and decay indicates fear, as the motivating factor for man’s flight from his own transience. Potential starting points for promoting emptiness, as balancing background in music therapy are being discussed. Within the realms of emptiness music is in its essential volatility, particularly suitable to allow the perception of the essence of reality and to find access to depths of one’s own existence.

  • This work deals with the question of how using music therapy to achieve an awareness of role identity and to strengthen the role flexibility of boys. In school and concerning delinquency occurs an increased incidence of boys as problem cases in our society. The specific problems of the boys are in correlation with their role identity and role flexibility. Music therapy as a low-threshold range with its various forms of expression is particularly suitable for this issue. For this purpose, a group project was carried out at a Swiss special school. The effectiveness of the project was comparatively evaluated with a perspective triangulation of participating boys, teacher and therapist. The results show that awareness of role identity and a first approach and confrontation with the topic of role flexibility has been achieved.

  • This paper discusses possibilities and limitations of a single group music therapy session with acute in-patients of a psychiatric hospital for adults regarding their intrapsychic condition. The theoretical part is concerned with basal therapeutical targets in regard to the acute psychiatric music therapy setting as well as the fundamentals of group therapy, brief therapy and well-being. The empirical part describes a study of the effects of a single music therapy session with psychiatric acute in-patients.
    An impact analysis based on an oral patient survey examined which basal therapeutic goals could be achieved within a single session, as well as changes in the patients' condition. Patients cited self-awareness and self-regulation, experiencing community and being provided with an interactive experience as most effective. Their condition showed a tendency towards improvement, with music often cited as a significant factor. Additional information was obtained through a questionnaire from music therapists experienced in the subject.

  • Scientific evidence, practitioners survey and therapeutic approaches.

    The present study describes basics of burnout from a phenomenological, a neurophysiological, a sociological/philosophical and a psychological point of view. It emphasizes burnout as a trouble of resonance caused by the reciprocal effect of empirically proven risk factors related to personality and to the requirements of the workplace leading to a symmetrical escalation, as well as a problem of weak attachment. Case reports illustrate music therapeutical conceptions. The current scientific evidence about music therapy for burnout patients is summarized in a systematic literature research. A survey among Swiss psychiatric institutions and music therapy practitioners documents the use of music therapy with burnout patients. Experiences of music therapy practitioners from burnout-treatments are analysed.

  • The present work explains what school anxiety means and what causes it. School anxiety may appear in the form of performance anxiety and social anxiety. In addition to listing the manifestations, a closer look is taken at the question, which therapy methods are suitable for the treatment of school anxiety in children aged nine to twelve years. The cognitive behavioural therapy is a very appropriate method for the treatment of school anxiety. As yet there are no studies about the effectiveness of music therapy in children with school anxiety. In the research part the question is examined, whether school anxiety in children reduces after music therapeutical measures. The results of the investigation indicate music therapy as therapy method in children with school anxiety.

    Keywords: anxiety disorder – school anxiety – performance anxiety – social anxiety – social phobia – psychotherapy – cognitive behavioural therapy – music therapy

  • How these people's expressiveness can be perceived, accompanied, supported, and motivated

    The present study pursues the question of how people with severe disabilities can be perceived , accompanied, supported and motivated in their possibilities of expressing with music therapy. In a first step, the theoretical part deals with the group of people with severe disabilities. In addition, it comments on the meaning and on the  development of personal forms of expression and focuses on non-verbal forms of expression in particular. A discussion of the topic space of interaction takes place. Subsequently, the present assignment deals with the issues that support the music therapist's inner attitude and that support people having severe disabilities with music therapy for their expression.
    In the empirical part, sequences of music therapy sessions  with this clientele are described in detail and thought about. Videos as well as session minutes are the basis of it. In the centre there are the questions showing the clients' form of expression during the sequences and supporting the clients in their own expression with the music-therapeutical procedures and inner attitude of the music therapist.

  • The present paper is concerned with movement in music therapy. The term “movement” is used to refer to both internal and external movements, which are both expressed through the body. This is a holistic view of the body, which is considered to form a unity with the soul and the spirit. Firstly, movement is dealt with from the point of view of classical medicine and psychotherapy. Subsequently, the focus is on internal and external movement in the context of embodiments. In addition, the connection between music and movement is examined from the point of view of rhythmics and music therapy.
    Finally, by re-examining the core topics, the specific characteristics of movement in music therapy are elucidated. In this process, practical examples from music therapeutic practice are used as illustrations. It is shown that the focus on movement in music therapy broadens the work of music therapists and allows the patient to build a connection to her own body and to become aware of her internal and external movements. The findings support a careful inclusion of movement in music therapy.

Upgrade 2019-2021

  • Adjunct pain management methods for premature infants have increasingly gained attention as the risk for later developmental impairments has become more apparent. This thesis provides an in-depth description of the successful use of live music therapy techniques to manage post-operative pain episodes occurring among four medically fragile infants following major surgeries performed between 36-42 gestational weeks. Live music therapy as well as parentutilized music therapy techniques were used to manage episodes of parental stress and infant pain as assessed by neonatal unit staff. Within the limits of these cases and contingent upon providing adjunct sensory stimulation, support appears to exist for the hypotheses that live music therapy can assist late-term neonates suffering from post-operative pain to better self-regulate, and that music therapy techniques modeled to parents may support parent-infant co-regulation as well as enable parents to successfully manage their infant’s pain.


    Keywords: neonatal post-operative pain, live music therapy, adjunct sensory input, vestibular stimulation, parental stress, infant stress, parent-infant co-regulation

Upgrade 2015–2017

  • Die Praxis des achtsamen Selbstmitgefühls (MSC) hat in der Behandlung von chronischen Schmerzen an Interesse gewonnen. Die vorliegende klinische Pilotstudie, bediente sich einer quantitativ-qualitativen Forschungsmethodik und explorierte Techniken aus dem MSC im Kontext der Musiktherapie, um die Auswirkungen von MSC auf die Schmerzakzeptanz (CPA) und Schmerzreduktion zu erforschen und eine mögliche Korrelation aufzuzeigen. Acht Schmerzpatienten frequentierten wöchentliche Musiktherapiesitzungen im Einzelsetting. Qualitative Daten wurden mit fokussierten Interviews erhoben. Quantitative Daten mit den Fragebogen Self Compassion Scale, Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire und Schmerzempfindung durch numerische Rating Skalas vor und nach Studienbeginn gemessen. Qualitative Daten wurden in einer thematischen Analyse evaluiert. Quantitative Daten wurden anhand deskriptiver und parametrischer Mittel ausgewertet und durch eine Korrelation verglichen. Die Resultate zeigten, dass MSC und CPA in einer positiven Korrelation stiegen und eine Schmerzreduktion nachgewiesen werden konnte. Qualitative Daten indizieren, dass die Patienten die Musiktherapie, unteranderem, unter den Aspekten von Entspannung und Selbstfürsorge evaluierten. Folgerungen für die Anwendung von MSC-Techniken im Kontext der Musiktherapie wurden diskutiert.

    Keywords: chronische Schmerzen, somatoforme Schmerzen, Musiktherapie, chronische Schmerzakzeptanz, achtsames Selbstmitgefühl, Achtsamkeit, Schmerzreduktion

  • Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt die Frage nach der Rolle der ‚gemeinsamen Aufmerksamkeit‘ (Joint Attention) bei der Lernfähigkeit von entwicklungsverzögerten Kindern an einer Schweizer Sonderschule. Mit dem EBQ-Instrument (EBQ: Einschätzung der BeziehungsQualität) wird eine Standortbestimmung in der Einzelmusiktherapie von zwei Kindern vorgenommen und qualitativ ausgewertet. Daraus resultiert die zweite Fragestellung der Arbeit, nämlich, was die Musiktherapie an einer Sonderschule leisten kann, um die Lernfähigkeit von Kindern mit Entwicklungsverzögerungen zu fördern. Neben den zwei Fallbeispielen beleuchtet der Theorieteil die Intersubjektivität, das Lernen, das Selbst-Konzept Daniel Sterns und das EBQ-Instrument von Karin Schumacher, Claudine Calvet und Silke Reimer.

    Keywords: Beziehungsqualität, EBQ-Instrument, Entwicklungspsychologie, Joint Attention, Lernen, Lernstörungen, Musiktherapie, Resonanz, Säuglingsforschung, Selbst-Konzept, Sonderschule, Synchronisation, Verhaltensorganisation

  • Die Grundhypothese für dieses Forschungsprojekt ist die folgende: Eine musiktherapeutische Behandlung, die hauptsächlich mit Elementen der Bodypercussion in einem Gruppensetting angewendet wird, führt zu einer Verbesserung des Erlernens von neuen Kompetenzen bei der Gefühlsregulierung. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Effekte einer solchen Therapie in einer Studienpopulation von jungen Erwachsenen, die in einer Betreuungsinstitution leben, zu erfassen. Die Studienteilnehmer zeichnen sich durch Schwierigkeiten in Bezug auf die Gefühlsregulierung und auf die sozialen Kompetenzen aus. Mittels einer gemischten Forschungsmethodologie (quantitativ und qualitativ) werden die Effektvariablen gemessen, und zwar zum einen mithilfe von 3 Fragebögen, welche an die Teilnehmer sowie auch an ihre Betreuer verteilt werden. Dies geschieht zu Beginn, in der Mitte und am Ende des Therapieprogramms, welches sich über zehn Behandlungssitzungen erstreckt. Zum anderen beziehen sich die Ergebnisse auf individuelle Gespräche mit den Teilnehmern sowie auch auf die Beobachtungen, die während der Therapiesitzungen gemacht wurden. Die beobachteten Effekte bestätigen die initiale Hypothese, vor allem was den Ausdruck von Gefühlen und der Körperwahrnehmung bei den Teilnehmern angeht.

    Keywords: Jugendliche, Bodypercussion, Gefühlsregulierung

  • The here presented master thesis investigates the connection between Music Therapy and the technique of Focusing. The underlying theory of this research is concerned with Art and Expressive Arts Therapy. By displaying four recollected case studies of a psychotherapy ward, it becomes evident that Focusing can be applied at any moment during a therapy session. The main objective thereby is to create a situation in which the patient achieves the verbal ability to reflect. Silence is a recurring theme with this therapy technique. In order to investigate the connection, five expert interviews will be conducted and analysed by a qualitative structured discourse analysis with regard to content. The findings of the case studies will be drawn into connection with the analysis of the interviews. Therefore, the results indicate that the integration of focuging in a therapy session may lead to an extended usage of various music therapeutic methods.
    Keywords:
    Music Therapy, Focusing, focusing-orienteted Music Therapy, methods of Music Therapy, Felt Sense, inner experience, bodily sensibility


  • Phenomenological Investigations on Action, Perception and Structuring in Neurological Music Therapy
    This paper investigates the phenomenological expression of musical structures and their beneficial use in treating neurological impairment due to acquired brain injury in practical setting as well as in literature. The ability to move and io perceive in coordination is a core issue in the process of rehabilitation. Music offers bridging functions in fundamental life experiences by linking movement, expression and perceptual input in musical actions while at the same time being a phenomenon with deeply rooted cultural aspects. To meet the need for individualized documentation in music therapy, a protocolling diagram is developed in the course of the present investigation combining the focus on phenomenological appearance for diagnostic use with an assessment of functional abilities guiding further interventions in
    music therapy treatment.
    Keywords:
    phenomenology - neurological rehabilitation - music therapy - action - perception - structuring - protocolling diagram.


  • Introducing a new music therapy program, with the focus on a part-time position
    The following essay examines the research question, what aspects are needed to implement a new music therapy offering in a child & adolescent psychiatry,  with the focus of a part-time position.
    Concrete steps in building a part-time position are described and the development of the interdisciplinary work and the involvement of music therapy in all-day life are the focus of this presented work. The empirical aspect of this study includes the results of a longitudinal study, which examines the development and collaboration within the interdisciplinary team, during the initial seven-month phase of the new music therapy offering.
    In a second study music therapists are questioned about their experiences in building a new part-time music therapy position. Both studies include qualitative and quantitative questions. The qualitative questions \ryere evaluated with the Grounded Theory (Glaser & Strauss, 2010). Results show, that even in the context of a part-time position, music therapy is an im-
    portant addition in a psychiatric hospital.

    Keywords:
    Children - Adolescents - Music Therapy - Integration - Position - Part -time - Interdisciplinary collaboration - organization - Institution - v/orkload

  • The significance of a Music Therapy Band Project within a psychiatric hospital setting

    In this assignment, the introduction and effects of a Band Project in adult psychiatry
    will be discussed. The benefit for the institution, as well the outset, which led to the expansion
    of Music Therapy with the implementation of the Band Project and efficacy
    factor of the Band Project will be discussed. This work will call into question whether
    the social competence of participants will be positively reinforced and what impact the
    Band Project can have on the patient`s own perception, his problem focused coping and
    his self-efficacy.
    Interviews with personnel of bordering professional groups help to substantiate and validate
    the process. These will support an expanded view of the Band Project and help to
    fathom its usability, its assets and drawbacks for the patients and the clinic as well as its
    future possibilities. This triangulation facilitates the viewing point of employees, the author,
    also takes the insights from the patients into account.

    Keywords: band project, band, music therapy, self-efficacy, identity, identification, psychiatry, social
    competence, music

  • Evaluation of the effect of improvisation in music therapy concerning chronic aphasia
    From an evolutionary point of view, music does not build on the development of language; rather, it represents the basis of language. In their pre-linguistic phase, infants experience language as a musical-melodic component. Functional imaging procedures in brain research have confirmed that music stimulates the entire central nervous system, both actively and receptively.
    The present report explores the effect of improvisation in music therapy concerning chronic aphasia. The method of research is based on KAMUTHE, the system of categories applied in music therapy. Research was carried out with a sample of five participants during a period of eight weeks, and each session was recorded on video. Sequences selected from the entire range of videos were observed and evaluated with the help of rating profiles. While the findings reflect good results on the non-verbal and musical-communicational levels and concerning emotional regulation, they showed no improvement on the linguistic-communicational level. Continuing thoughts describe how this tool could be applied effectively in a therapeutic concept for treating aphasia in stationary and outpatient clinical settings.

    Key words: Aphasia, Music Therapy, Improvisation, Communication

  • This research aimed to verify the relevance of the The Tomatis® listening test in order to reveal changes in the quality of listening of patients who obtained benefits of follow-up in music therapy. We compared the data from Tomatis® listening test with the results of the WHOQOL questionnaire, which allows assessing changes in the patient’s quality of life. Thirteen patients with mood disorders participated in the study. The were assigned, either to a test group of six people who had followed music therapy sessions, or a control group of seven people who had done other activities. The small sample size prompted us to implement a mixed analysis, both qualitative and quantitative. The comparative analysis of the results reveals an improvement in the quality of live and a positive and significant change in the listening skills of the test group, unlike the control group. In conclusion, the Tomatis ® listening test confirms the positive impact on the patient’s quality of life following music therapy monitoring by objectively revealing changes in the quality of their listening.

    Keywords: music therapy; listen; sound; hear; test

Upgrade 2012-2014

  • We study here how music therapy supports self awareness in a person suffering from dementia. Nine sessions with three persons at different stages of dementia were filmed. Taking five indicators into account: gaze, smile, verbal expression, characteristic of musical play, synchrony, we examine the interaction quality according to seven stages. Results show how self awareness and interaction quality improve when the psychological, sociological and cultural needs are met during the intervention, then, as the disease increases, when a corporal and sensory approach is favoured. To support the identity sense helps giving a meaning to the current intervention.
    This study is based on Stern's senses of self, Kitwood's personhood and Lejeune-Delage-Cyrulnik resilient decline concepts. We also examine the specific features of the music therapeutic care to persons suffering from dementia.

  • The purpose of this paper is to introduce and describe psychotherapeutic methods aiming to improve the ability to establish and maintain psychological contact of people experiencing severe limited social interaction and verbal/non-verbal expression skills after acquired brain injury. Pre-Therapy techniques as described by psychotherapist Gary Prouty and Music Therapy interventions are offered to the patients, whereas positive behavioural changes are recorded on a quantitative basis investigating the efficacy of the two methods offered. A total of six patients and sessions are recorded on video and rated by independent assessors. This explorative study aims to investigate the efficacy of music therapy techniques as an aid in improving social interaction and expression after traumatic brain injury or stroke. The results support the author’s hypothesis and suggest an increase of positive behavioural changes during Music Therapy interventions, especially in terms of motor and/or visual responses of patients. Furthermore, they advocate the use of Music Therapy as a psychotherapeutic method with this population.

  • Similarities in practical Music Therapy in Neonatology and Palliative Care derived from interviews with experts

    There is mounting evidence to suggest that music therapy, administered in a clinical setting may indeed directly influence or benefit the quality of life in both young and old patients alike.The primary objective of this Masters research investigation, addresses the duality of music therapeutical practice in a clinical context, administered at both, the beginning and conclusion of life.
    After describing the “Fields of Living” of these extremely vulnerable patients, encompassing conditions, challenges and needs faced by both, patient and relative, musictherapeutical techniques examined in current literature will be assessed. Overlapping, or integrated subjects inclusive of attachement, self-perception and communication with direct bearing on the administration of musictherapeutical technique will also be addressed.
    Interviews with experts in their respective fields will be conducted, thus allowing for similarities between the varying fields of neonatologie and palliative care to be contrasted. Besides similar frame conditions, a) the qualities of the employed music, b) the necessity to include the patients “unit of care” his familial context, and c) the way to communicate non-verbally, could be found as the largest intersections.

  • Insignts into the field of music therapy in palliative care, including a questionnaire investigation.

    The present paper elaborates aspects of music therapy in the field of palliative care. As research methods, a literature research and a survey, based on a previously developed questionnaire, were used. The paper starts with an excursion to the history of the field of medical- and end-of-life care. Also, the social understanding of a disease, concepts of coping with a disease and bereavement and the present situation of patients with incurable illnesses and dying patients are described in greater detail. In a next chapter, therapeutic activities of music therapy in palliative care are discussed. Musical therapists, active in different institutions, were asked to engage in a questionnaire survey. Questions were asked about their institutional framework, their activities in music therapy and about their own well-being. It became evident that the containing of mental/spiritual processes is a substantial contribution of music therapy. Further, the survey revealed that participants experience a great deal of personal inspiration and the possibility of personal development based on their work.

    Keywords: palliative care – medical- and end-of-life care – situation of patients – interdisciplinarity – institutional framework – music therapy order – containing – personal development

  • The work of a music therapist is connected with different challenges. Self-care in everyday life is important for working with patients in a centred and mindful way. The thesis analyses how yoga can support the self-perception of a music therapist and the possibility to anchor in one's body. It explores if dealing with the subject of self-care has an effect on daily work life. The research examines on the basis of a questionnaire the self-care strategies of eight music therapists, who work in psychiatric hospitals. The music therapists regularly practice two yoga programs for the following two months on their own. The results show that dealing with the subject of self-care and practicing yoga enhances mindfulness of oneself and serenity in the psychiatric daily work life.

  • Which are the useful factors of receptive music therapy to improve the depressive patients' ability to relax?

    This thesis focuses on the question whether the ability to relax of depressive patients can be improved via receptive music therapy with the monochord and the voice.
    Based on the disorder depression and its symptoms the impact of receptive music therapy with the monochord and supportive vocal accompaniment concerning the ability to relax of depressive patients is examined in the course of a pilot study and quantitatively analysed and evaluated by means of a questionnaire which was particularly created for this purpose.
    In support of the qualitative data collection a connection between the verbal sensitivities reflection of patients and the cardinal symptoms of depression is made. Therefrom, three categories can be derived: the emotional level, the physical experience and the ability to symbolize. In the course of this study, the present quantitative and qualitative results are associated and evaluated.

  • A randomized controlled trial

    In this randomized controlled trial the question was raised whether the implementation of a ritualized music therapy drum sequence in patients with mental disorders in day clinic treatment leads to an improvement in psychological well-being. By a validated questionnaire (self-assessment) the emotional state has been measured before and after each sequence. A total of eight drum sequences have been performed. The statistical analysis of the measured data yielded both a significant improvement in mental state of one sequence to another, as well as a positive impact on the long-term well-being outcomes for patients with music therapy intervention compared to the control group.

  • This paper investigates the perception of time in both a salutogenical and pathogenical way. This phenomenological approach to perception of time – by means of figures of time – wishes to enable therapists to attain a detailed awareness of oncology patients and allows for a subtle shift between therapeutic interventions.
    Starting off with general considerations on time and its meaning for mankind, music and music therapy, the paper continues by introducing six figures of time, namely finiteness, eternity, wait, boredom, time issues and moment. It discusses their appearance in music and their significance for music therapy by analysing single sessions with oncology patients showing their perception of time and the effects of music on them. Findings about the function of music and the silence in music therapy are revealed.

  • The present work deals with silence after the music. It asks whether reverberation into silence can be seen as a moment of development and recovery in the process of music therapy. In the theoretical part terms of departure, change and silence are illuminated in the aspects of development and convalesce, connected with music therapy and supplemented with the description of aspects of silence. In the empirical part 35 relevant moments of silence of an individual case analysis are intersubjektively explored and evaluated. The study shows that significant moments in a musictherapeutical process arise from transitions from music into silence. They show up in emerging feelings, scenes, thoughts, metaphors and body sensivities of inner life. However, the effectiveness of moments of silence is not definitely connected with impacts on the outside world.

    Keywords: music therapy – reverberation – silence – alteration – evolution – inner life – development-promoting moment