Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/25
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Item Humour in music therapy: A narrative literature review(GAMUT, 2019-02-14) Haire, Nicky; MacDonald, RaymondIntroduction: Humour is a highly prevalent but little understood phenomenon. In music therapy, experiences of humour are not well documented yet anecdotally widespread. Method: A narrative literature review was conducted to identify, critically analyse and synthesise literature related to humour in music therapy. Literature was limited to accessible publications in the English language and sourced from multiple music therapy journals, bibliographic databases, electronic databases and books from the earliest available date until June 2018 using the key terms of humour/humor. Results: Two empirical research studies that focussed on humour in music therapy were identified and references to humour were found in over 130 articles. Humour in music therapy was evidently taken for granted as a phenomenon with relationship-building effects. In addition, references to humour came overwhelmingly from music therapists’ point of view. Despite one comprehensive research study exploring humour in music therapy, a lack of investigation into reciprocal experiences of humour and how this is “played out” through improvisation was identified. Discussion: This review surfaces a phenomenon that is ubiquitous yet under-researched in music therapy. In general, a kind of insider knowledge appears necessary for humour to be shared; yet the ambiguity inherent in humour means that music therapists can encounter risk in using or engaging with it in their work. These findings have led directly to further research into reciprocal embodied experiences of humour and improvisation in music therapy.Item Adding humour to the music therapist’s tool-kit: Reflections on its role in child psychiatry(SAGE, 2009-06-01) Haire, Nicky; Oldfield, AmeliaIn this article we reflect on the use of humour in music therapy on a children’s psychiatric unit. We review the current literature and, by providing detailed case vignettes, identify four characteristics of humour in music therapy in this context as well as listing the main functions of humour here. We find that humour is a highly subjective experience and that due consideration of the intention behind any use of humour by the music therapist is crucial. Awareness and attunement to one’s client are considered vital when dealing with such a powerful multi-faceted phenomenon.Item “Sounds good, but... what is it?” An introduction to outcome measurement from a music therapy perspective(2018-06-27) Spiro, Neta; Tsiris, Giorgos; Cripps, Charlotte“Sounds good, but... what is it?” This is a common reaction to outcome measurement by music therapy practitioners and researchers who are less familiar with its meanings and practices. Given the prevailing evidence-based practice movement, outcome measurement does ‘sound good’. Some practitioners and researchers, however, have a limited or unclear understanding of what outcome measurement includes; particularly with respect to outcome measures and related terminology around their use. Responding to the “what is it?” question, this article provides an introduction to such terminology. It explores what outcome measures are and outlines characteristics related to their forms, uses and selection criteria. While pointing to some debates regarding outcome measurement, including its philosophical underpinnings, this introduction seeks to offer a useful platform for a critical and contextual understanding of the potential use of outcome measures in music therapy.Item Music therapy and spirituality: An international survey of music therapists' perceptions(Taylor & Francis, 2016-10-17) Tsiris, GiorgosDespite various theoretical explorations regarding spirituality and music therapy, only a small number of empirical studies have been conducted in this area to date. This study aims to explore and provide a systematic overview of music therapists' reported perceptions of spirituality and its relevance (or irrelevance) to their music therapy practice. A pragmatic methodological stance informs this study. Data were collected through an online survey questionnaire which was open to qualified and trainee music therapists across the world. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. A total of 358 music therapists from 29 countries took part in this study. The survey findings provide an insight into music therapists' perceptions of spirituality including its place in their training, practice and professional life. Also, dilemmas that music therapists face, as well as their suggestions for future action regarding spirituality and music therapy, are explored. To date, this study is one of the largest international music therapy studies on spirituality. Its findings contribute to the growing evidence regarding a subject area that is considered as controversial by many professionals not only in music therapy, but also in other health-related professions.