Improvisational music therapy
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This study provides insight into how music therapy is designed for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, and how music therapy can benefit their quality of live.
Music offers people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities the opportunity to communicate in an alternative way, as well as to have fun and participate in a cultural activity. Improvisation in music seems to provide additional opportunities to communicate and tune into emotions.
About the study
This study aims to gain more knowledge about the use and benefits of improvisation during music therapy. This knowledge is obtained through literature review and a empirical study in which improvisational music therapy is offered in an existing situation by a registered music therapist.
For practice
The knowledge obtained allows us to better understand what music improvisation can do for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, and how it can be used. The study will collect information through a digital questionnaire, video recordings and interviews.
Team
The research was conducted by Richard Lekkerkerk and Stephanie Boshuijzen. The supervision team consists of Gineke Hanzen, Aly Waninge, Annet ten Brug and Annette van der Putten.
About the researcher
What is your position within the Academic Collaborative Centre for people with PIMD?
As a junior researcher, I am involved in the Erasmus+ MATCODE project, which conducts research into the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), which is a sports and exercise program, especially for people with PIMD. Within this project I investigate the role of the environment and the meaning of MATP for the athlete and this environment.
What do you want to achieve?
I like to conduct scientific research into sports and exercise for people with EMB, so that this research eventually can make a difference in practice. Since people with PIMD are completely dependent on their environment, it is important that the environment is adapted in such a way that they also have the opportunity to participate in sports, exercise and music. Just like everyone else.