The Practice Of Music Therapy For Adults With Mental Health Problems: The Relationship Between Diagnosis And Clinical Method

May 2007

Helen Odell-Miller

Abstract
This Doctoral study is in two parts: Part I includes five published research articles by the author. These relate to the author's quest for defining how music therapy is placed in the field of adult psychiatry, both clinically and theoretically, and to how it defines itself in relation to psychoanalytic theory within its own community, and in the external world of health care services. Part II includes a survey-based research project carried out across five established music therapy clinical centres in Europe designed to answer the main question: 'How are different approaches and techniques of music therapy defined in adult psychiatry, for people between 18-65 years old, which link diagnosis to treatment?' The research design includes statistical and qualitative analysis. Main findings show that music therapy centres in the study variably define what they do and why they do it, linked to diagnosis. Outcomes show that reasons for this are linked to training and clinical judgement. Specific findings show that there are some distinct differences between techniques used for psychotic disorders and non-psychotic disorders. Techniques involving symbolic thinking are more prevalent for non-psychotic disorders, for example. Outcomes also show a prevalence of use of approaches drawing on psychoanalytic theory with a strong emphasis on techniques of free and structured musical improvisation for all diagnoses. The study concludes that there is a need for further research and changes in attitude towards music therapy training, in order to more clearly define music therapy treatments for adults with mental health problems.

An Investigation into the Effectiveness of the Arts Therapies (Art Therapy, Dramatherapy, Music Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy) by Measuring Symptomatic and Significant Life Change For People Between The Ages of 16-65 with Continuing Mental Health Problems.

December 2001

H.Odell-Miller, M.Westacott, P. Hughes, D. Mortlock and C. Binks

Jointly funded by Addenbrooke's NHS Trust and APU

Summary
Arts Therapies treatments offer patients therapy through non-verbal means i.e. art forms such as music, art, drama or dance movement. They are particularly effective where normal communication is absent or has broken down. This study was a randomised control design with four separate questionnaires to measure their effectiveness. The numerical results were not conclusive, owing to high variability and small sample size, but the qualitative data reveal interesting facets of the process, for example that the therapist and patient's perceptions of the treatment coincide in all treatment cases.

Research Projects