Subjective experiences of tertiary student pianists with playing-related musculoskeletal disorder: a transcendental phenomenological analysis

BackgroundThe literature suggests that the medical community needs musicians to provide an insider’s perspective to understand the physical and psychological dimensions of playing an instrument, and healthcare providers need to understand musicians’ experiences in order to develop coping strategies. Compared with professional pianists, student pianists are a neglected group. However, student and professional pianists both want to maintain their playing careers and have the experience of giving up playing because of playing-related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD). There are a few studies conducted on student pianists’ experiences with PRMD, but none have been conducted in the Chinese context. Given the distinctive characteristics of higher music education in China and Chinese piano students, this study aims to investigate the lived experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD.MethodsPhenomenology is the most suitable qualitative method for investigating lived experiences. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological approach to investigate the experiences of student pianists, collecting data through one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. Since phenomenological research emphasizes the homogeneity of research subjects, all 25 participants in this study are tertiary student pianists from seven Chinese higher education institutions.ResultsFour themes and ten sub-themes were identified in this study. They are as follows: Theme one, Perceptions of PRMD, with sub-themes of body perceptions, negative thought, and emotional changes; Theme two, Complex Identity, with sub-themes of future pianists’ identity, nuanced identity of student pianists, and the dual identity between student pianist and patient; Theme three, Coping Strategies, with sub-themes of self-regulation and actively seek help from social relations; Theme four, Influences and Meanings, with sub-themes of negative influences of PRMD and positive meanings of PRMD.ConclusionThis study explores the experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD, including their subjective thoughts and feelings. It also highlights the importance of understanding tertiary student pianists’ experiences in developing health education and healthcare measures tailored to them

Exploring the reception of the tele-based music program in people with parkinson’s disease during the period of the movement control order due to the covid-19 pandemic

One of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic was the country’s lockdown with the new normal “social-distancing” being mandated. This might have worsened the management of some chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). PD is a chronic neurodegenerative disease in which the symptoms of the disease worsen over time. Apart from the prominent motor problems, studies also noted that the quality of life (QoL) of the People with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP) deteriorates significantly with increasing disease severity. The impairment in the QoL often causes PwP to social withdrawal and social isolation, leading to higher possibilities for PwP to develop neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as causing caregivers’ distress. A tele-based music program was designed for the PwP aiming to encourage social engagement and to instil positive living. This paper reports the preliminary findings of the reception of a trial tele-based music program on psychosocial wellbeing in people with PwP

Music Therapy, Healthy Aging, and Dementia

Aging is a continuous process that over time matures us. Chronological age differs from biological, psychological, and social age. Our focus for this chapter is on healthy aging, and how music therapy may play a role in preventing disease and stimulating cognition and quality of life, specifically when it comes to healthy aging risks such as neurodegeneration and dementia

Parents and teachers’ perceptions of online music sessions for children with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: an exploratory feasibility study

Autism is a neurological disorder that manifests as social communication skill limitations, fixated interests and rigid behaviours. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, online lessons became the norm and it transformed the way teachers and parents collaborated to ensure that children with autism continued to receive education from home. However, parents of autistic children noticed a marked regression in basic living skills and communication skills in their children during the pandemic. The importance of music has been indicated by a growing body of research as it can help children with autism maintain and develop social and communication skill. While research during the pandemic revealed that children with autism’s age, cognitive functioning, family income, parent education and cultural background are factors that may influence treatment selection and outcomes, parents and teachers’ positive and negative perceptions of online learning experiences with the child may also contribute to it. The purpose of this exploratory study was to gauge the perceptions of parents and teachers towards online education in order to determine the feasibility of introducing music therapy-based online music classes for children with autism as a potential means to promote and preserve their social and communication skills. A total of 59 teachers and 69 parents participated in this study by answering a prepared online survey questionnaire through Google Docs. The findings were analysed using conventional content analysis and later with descriptive statistic on SPSS. The findings from this study indicated that parents are more interested in having online music sessions with their children compared to teachers. Teachers are less interested due to the lack of musical skill to deliver quality online sessions with music. Based on parents and teachers’ overall perceptions, this study found that children with autism had the potential to benefit from online music lessons aimed at stimulating social and communication skills. However, this study also found that both parents and teachers needed training in the use of technology to increase their confidence in using online platforms. Futher research is needed to develop a suitable coaching model to equip both parents and teachers in assisting autistic students during online music lessons

Hearing habits and hearing knowledge among music tertiary students

With the advancement of modern technology, almost everyone possesses at least one personal listening devices (PLDs) for music listening especially music tertiary students. Music tertiary students listen to music more than the other students due to the nature of their profession. Therefore, the current research aims to describe the hearing habits and hearing knowledge on the safe usage of PLDs among music tertiary students. The participants are comprised of 140 music tertiary students. They were asked to answer online questionnaires regarding the intensity and duration of PLDs used, the environment in which the PLDs were used, and knowledge towards the secure restriction on the PLDs usage. The results indicated that the majority of them listening to the PLDs every day between 15 minutes and 30 minutes at the moderate listening level with a volume control level set at 41%-60%. The overall correlation between hearing habits and hearing knowledge is high. The study also indicated that some music tertiary students lack awareness on the safe use of PLDs. It is important for children to have this awareness as early as possible. Teachers and professionals play important roles in educating children on healthy hearing habits and encouraging parental participation on this matter

Table_1_Subjective experiences of tertiary student pianists with playing-related musculoskeletal disorder: a transcendental phenomenological analysis.DOCX

BackgroundThe literature suggests that the medical community needs musicians to provide an insider’s perspective to understand the physical and psychological dimensions of playing an instrument, and healthcare providers need to understand musicians’ experiences in order to develop coping strategies. Compared with professional pianists, student pianists are a neglected group. However, student and professional pianists both want to maintain their playing careers and have the experience of giving up playing because of playing-related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD). There are a few studies conducted on student pianists’ experiences with PRMD, but none have been conducted in the Chinese context. Given the distinctive characteristics of higher music education in China and Chinese piano students, this study aims to investigate the lived experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD.MethodsPhenomenology is the most suitable qualitative method for investigating lived experiences. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological approach to investigate the experiences of student pianists, collecting data through one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. Since phenomenological research emphasizes the homogeneity of research subjects, all 25 participants in this study are tertiary student pianists from seven Chinese higher education institutions.ResultsFour themes and ten sub-themes were identified in this study. They are as follows: Theme one, Perceptions of PRMD, with sub-themes of body perceptions, negative thought, and emotional changes; Theme two, Complex Identity, with sub-themes of future pianists’ identity, nuanced identity of student pianists, and the dual identity between student pianist and patient; Theme three, Coping Strategies, with sub-themes of self-regulation and actively seek help from social relations; Theme four, Influences and Meanings, with sub-themes of negative influences of PRMD and positive meanings of PRMD.ConclusionThis study explores the experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD, including their subjective thoughts and feelings. It also highlights the importance of understanding tertiary student pianists’ experiences in developing health education and healthcare measures tailored to them.</p

Practices and innovations in telehealth music therapy

Telehealth music therapy innovations from various theoretical approaches with individuals across the lifespan are shared from clinicians and researchers representing 4 global regions of the WFMT. Reflect and identify how to continue to advance work in this format based on the experience accumulated. Telehealth music therapy practice was not widely practiced until the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Since that time, the field of music therapy experienced widespread adoption of this synchronous, remote approach to service delivery when in-person services were not possible. Now, many music therapists are sustaining telepractice innovations leading to improved access and services. Many service users have benefited from music therapy because of the increased access made possible through telepractice, and a 2021 Certification Board for Music Therapy position paper suggests that “telepractice is here to stay” (CBMT, 2021). Current applications of telepractice music therapy continue to grow across a wide range of practice areas including: persons with dementia, Parkinson’s, mental health diagnoses, military, pediatrics, and children with complex needs and their caregivers and many more. Continued work in providing telehealth needs to consider topics including: ethics, end of life care, technological advances, education and training, access, cultural humility, and applications in supporting those affected by global conflict

International Music Therapists’ Perceptions and Experiences in Telehealth Music Therapy Provision

The use of telehealth within music therapy practice has increased through necessity in recent years. To contribute to the evolving evidence base, this current study on Telehealth Music Therapy (TMT) was undertaken to investigate the telehealth provision experiences of music therapists internationally. Participants completed an anonymous online cross-sectional survey covering demographics, clinical practice, telehealth provision, and telehealth perceptions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, in combination with thematic analysis, were used to analyze the data. A total of 572 music therapists from 29 countries experienced in providing TMT took part in this study. The results showed that the overall number of clinical hours (TMT and in-person hours combined) declined due to the pandemic. Participants also reported reduced perceived success rates in utilizing both live and pre-recorded music in TMT sessions when compared to in-person sessions. Although many music therapists rose to the challenges posed by the pandemic by incorporating TMT delivery modes, there was no clear agreement on whether TMT has more benefits than drawbacks; however, reported benefits included increased client access and caregiver involvement. Furthermore, a correlation analysis revealed moderate-to-strong positive associations between respondents who perceived TMT to have more benefits than drawbacks, proficiency at administering assessments over telehealth, and perceived likelihood of using telehealth in the future. Regarding the influence of primary theoretical orientation and work setting, respondents who selected music psychotherapy as a primary theoretical orientation had more experience providing TMT prior to the pandemic while those primarily working in private practice were most inclined to continue TMT services post-pandemic. Benefits and drawbacks are discussed and future recommendations for TMT are provided

International music therapists’ perceptions and experiences in telehealth music therapy provision

The use of telehealth within music therapy practice has increased through necessity in recent years. To contribute to the evolving evidence base, this current study on Telehealth Music Therapy (TMT) was undertaken to investigate the telehealth provision experiences of music therapists internationally. Participants completed an anonymous online cross-sectional survey covering demographics, clinical practice, telehealth provision, and telehealth perceptions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, in combination with thematic analysis, were used to analyze the data. A total of 572 music therapists from 29 countries experienced in providing TMT took part in this study. The results showed that the overall number of clinical hours (TMT and in-person hours combined) declined due to the pandemic. Participants also reported reduced perceived success rates in utilizing both live and pre-recorded music in TMT sessions when compared to in-person sessions. Although many music therapists rose to the challenges posed by the pandemic by incorporating TMT delivery modes, there was no clear agreement on whether TMT has more benefits than drawbacks; however, reported benefits included increased client access and caregiver involvement. Furthermore, a correlation analysis revealed moderate-to-strong positive associations between respondents who perceived TMT to have more benefits than drawbacks, proficiency at administering assessments over telehealth, and perceived likelihood of using telehealth in the future. Regarding the influence of primary theoretical orientation and work setting, respondents who selected music psychotherapy as a primary theoretical orientation had more experience providing TMT prior to the pandemic while those primarily working in private practice were most inclined to continue TMT services post-pandemic. Benefits and drawbacks are discussed and future recommendations for TMT are provided

International music therapists’ perceptions and experiences in telehealth music therapy provision

The use of telehealth within music therapy practice has increased through necessity in recent years. To contribute to the evolving evidence base, this current study on Telehealth Music Therapy (TMT) was undertaken to investigate the telehealth provision experiences of music therapists internationally. Participants completed an anonymous online cross-sectional survey covering demographics, clinical practice, telehealth provision, and telehealth perceptions. Descriptive and inferential statistics, in combination with thematic analysis, were used to analyze the data. A total of 572 music therapists from 29 countries experienced in providing TMT took part in this study. The results showed that the overall number of clinical hours (TMT and in-person hours combined) declined due to the pandemic. Participants also reported reduced perceived success rates in utilizing both live and pre-recorded music in TMT sessions when compared to in-person sessions. Although many music therapists rose to the challenges posed by the pandemic by incorporating TMT delivery modes, there was no clear agreement on whether TMT has more benefits than drawbacks; however, reported benefits included increased client access and caregiver involvement. Furthermore, a correlation analysis revealed moderate-to-strong positive associations between respondents who perceived TMT to have more benefits than drawbacks, proficiency at administering assessments over telehealth, and perceived likelihood of using telehealth in the future. Regarding the influence of primary theoretical orientation and work setting, respondents who selected music psychotherapy as a primary theoretical orientation had more experience providing TMT prior to the pandemic while those primarily working in private practice were most inclined to continue TMT services post-pandemic. Benefits and drawbacks are discussed and future recommendations for TMT are provided. </p