Contributing to Quality of Life by Facilitating Music-Based Social Interaction for Adults with Intellectual Disability

The purpose of this mixed method investigation was to discern whether participation in a task-specific music therapy group contributed to quality of life for adults with intellectual disabilities. Engaging in social interaction had previously been shown to benefit physical and emotional health (Duvdevany, 2008) while lack of social connection had produced detrimental effects, most often loneliness and depression (de Belvis et al., 2008). Two research questions were posited: 1) Does the level of social interaction increase when individuals participate in a group activity as compared to unstructured leisure time? 2) Does active participation in the group activity contribute to the quality of life of the participants? Socialization was defined as a verbal statement. Intervention consisted of 12, 45-minute music therapy sessions during which each of the three small group (n = 3) engaged in the process of producing and ultimately publically presenting a music DVD of themselves singing. The control group (n = 4) participated in coffee breaks of equal duration, frequency, and location. Employing the Social Interaction Scale and Group Environment Scale (Moos, 2002), four categories of verbal response were measured quantitatively for each participant: Initiating with the therapist, responding to the therapist, initiating with a peer, and responding to a peer. In addition, session content, a pre-post session Quality of Life Interview (Snow and D’Amico 2009), and an informal post-performance interview were analyzed qualitatively. Quantitative analysis demonstrated no statistically significant increase in any of the identified interaction categories. The only notable finding was a moderate effect size (r = .40) for initiations with the group as demonstrated in the Mann Whitney U test results. Interestingly, the control group actually produced more verbal statements, However, the content of these conversations proved rote, repetitive, often non-reciprocated, and engaged in unequally by participants. Conversely, while the intervention groups talked less, the verbal exchanges were robust, varied, new, interesting, reciprocated, and all participants engaged with relative equality. Qualitative analysis produced two major themes: The need for social interaction, and prevailing loneliness. An additional theme of nervousness presented during the initial sessions, but later subsided. Overarching findings indicated participants’ strong desire to be socially engaged yet frequently expressing feelings of loneliness. The post-performance interview revealed that nine of the ten participants expressed a positive response to participation in the project and public event. Qualitative results also indicated that there was healthy group process and positive cohesion amongst participants, implying that quality of life was increased by participation in this project

The map of me: caring through clothing. An empathic co-design, art-based intervention that explores personhood through garments of significance for people living with dementia

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.This thesis demonstrates the research process of an ecopsychosocial intervention called the ‘Map of Me: Caring Through Clothing’ (MoM), which uses garments of significance as a trigger to excavate the lived experience of people living with dementia. The global prevalence of dementia is over 50 million and is set to rise to 152 million by 2050 (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2021). People who live with dementia often live at home and are cared for by primary carers, or they live in specialised care facilities with trained staff. There is currently no cure available for most types of dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2020). The research sits within the qualitative and art-based research methodology traditions, using inductive reasoning and mixed methods for data collection, which includes observation, case study, narrative, workshops and drawing. The work is informed by practice, specifically three iterations of the MoM process, to co-create forward interventions to be considered for the future care of the person living with dementia (PLWD) and their primary carer. It is a novel empathic co-design framework that weaves best practice nursing and dementia care, using items of significant clothing to excavate lived experience. This thesis illustrates how lived experience drawn from narratives instigated by significant garments contributes to an exploration of self, personhood and the interrelationship between a PLWD and their primary carer. Further, it uses art-based research methods of drawing, reflective writing and object excavation to uncover intangible and tangible understandings of everyday human interactions with garments. It positions the person at the heart of their own ‘ecosystem’, surrounded by meaningful interrelationships and objects within their environment. The Map of Me: Caring Through Clothing framework has been co-designed and tested over time with the participants. A set of procedures, resources and recommendations has been formulated as a result of the research.CADR

'Lines of flight': digital musical instruments, inclusive music bands, meaningful engagement in music-making and learning

In this study I examine the development of three inclusive music bands in Cork city. Derived from Jellison’s research on inclusive music education, inclusive music bands involve students with disabilities coming together with typically developing peers to make and learn music that is meaningful (Jellison, 2012). As part of this study, I established three inclusive music bands to address the lack of inclusive music making and learning experiences in Cork city. Each of these bands evolved and adapted in order to be socio-culturally relevant within formal and informal settings: Circles (community education band), Till 4 (secondary school band) and Mish Mash (third level and community band). I integrated Digital Musical Instruments into the three bands, in order to ensure access to music making and learning for band members with profound physical disabilities. Digital Musical Instruments are electronic music devices that facilitate active music making with minimal movement. This is the first study in Ireland to examine the experiences of inclusive music making and learning using Digital Musical Instruments. I propose that the integration of Digital Musical Instruments into inclusive music bands has the potential to further the equality and social justice agenda in music education in Ireland. In this study, I employed qualitative research methodology, incorporating participatory action research methodology and case study design. In this thesis I reveal the experiences of being involved in an inclusive music band in Cork city. I particularly focus on examining whether the use of this technology enhances meaningful music making and learning experiences for members with disabilities within inclusive environments. To both inform and understand the person centered and adaptable nature of these inclusive bands, I draw theoretical insights from Sen’s Capabilities Approach and Deleuze and Guatarri’s Rhizome Theory. Supported by descriptive narrative from research participants and an indepth examination of literature, I discover the optimum conditions and associated challenges of inclusive music practice in Cork city