None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Severe and enduring mental illness (SEMI) impacts detrimentally on the ability to work and form relationships, thus reducing quality of life. People with SEMI living in the community are particularly vulnerable. The importance of psychosocial interventions, in conjunction with medication, to improve quality of life or people with SEMI is increasingly being acknowledged. Music therapy is a recognised psychosocial intervention that can promote social support through musical and personal interaction. A recent Cochrane review analysed four outcome studies of music therapy and mental illness (Gold, Heldal, Dahle & Wigram, 2005). Methods included active music making (mostly improvisation), and listening to music with discussion. A meta-analysis of results concluded that music therapy, when compared with standard care, improved global state, mental state and social functioning. The Songs for Life project aims to extend current knowledge about the benefits of music therapy for chronic psychiatric illness. The study will examine the effect of a music therapy intervention (involving singing, percussive improvisation and writing and recording an original song) on quality of life, self-esteem, social support, and sense of meaning and purpose in people with SEMI living in the community.
Interventions
A group music therapy intervention comprising the following (4) treatment components: singing preferred and familiar songs; percussive improvisation; writing an original song; recording an original song. The intervention will be a 13-week group music therapy progam, delivered by a registared music therapist (RMT). The program comprises one Introductory Session, and 12 group music therapy sessions, with session length of one hour. The original song will be recorded in a professional recording stu
A group music therapy intervention comprising the following (4) treatment components: singing preferred and familiar songs; percussive improvisation; writing an original song; recording an original song. The intervention will be a 13-week group music therapy progam, delivered by a registared music therapist (RMT). The program comprises one Introductory Session, and 12 group music therapy sessions, with session length of one hour. The original song will be recorded in a professional recording studio and a CD will be given to participants at the end of the program. Music therapy is a recognised psychosocial intervention that involves a wide range of musical applications, including improvisation, instrument playing, singing/vocalising, composition, song/lyric writing, music and movement, listening, performance and music imagery. Music therapy interventions are selected according to the unique needs of particular individuals or groups, and offer participants the opportunity to interact musically and socially in the context of a therapeutic relationship. The effectiveness of music therapy, especially active music-making, for people with SEMI has been demonstrated (Gold, Heldal, Dahle & Wigram, 2005).
Sponsors
The University of Melbourne
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
The inclusion criteria are not diagnosis-specific, such that people living with a broad range of mental illnesses can participate. Musical experience or ability is not necessary. Specific inclusion criteria: 1) a diagnosed severe and enduring mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression) that has been present for a least two years; 2) living independently in the community; 3) currently linked with a mental health professionial, case manager, or primary care physician; 3) ability to participate in a group for 1.5 hours.
Exclusion criteria
Behavioural issues that may be disruptive to a group process. Inability to speak english or give informed consent.
Outcome results
None listed