Music therapy - a supportive distraction: An empirical, interpretivist study exploring music therapy interventions with paediatric oncology patients in the ambulatory chemotherapy unit in a public hospital in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Formålet med dette speciale er at undersøge, hvordan man integrerer musikterapi i behandlingen af pædiatriske onkologiske patienter. Dette er et empirisk, kvalitativt (eng. interpretivist) studie, der bruger en fænomenologisk og hermeneutisk tilgang, og som tager udgangspunkt i min 9. semester praktik i ambulatoriet for kemoterapi på et offentligt sygehus i Peru. Gennem en tematisk analyse af spørgeskemabaserede interviews med omsorgspersoner, frivillige og medicinsk personale undersøger jeg, hvordan folk oplevede virkningen af musikterapi i denne enhed. Desuden, undersøger jeg, gennem en heuristisk analyse, sammenhængen mellem kultur og musikterapi. Resultatet af den tematiske analyse præsenterer tre fremtrædende temaer, der beskriver, at musikterapi har en positiv indflydelse på opmærksomhed, glæde og afslapning. Mellem og under medicinske procedurer kan musikterapi give en støttende distraktion, fra det udfordrende miljø. Ved brug af aktive og receptive musikterapimetoder kan skabes afslapning eller musikalske aktiviteter, der hjælper barnet til at kunne klare situationen på en bedre måde. Gennem den heuristiske analyse, præsenteres vigtigheden af selvrefleksion, kulturel følsomhed (eng. cultural sensitivity) og terapeutens ansvar for at respektere, støtte og være åben over for patientens personlige-kulturelle baggrund. Multikulturel musikterapi udvikler sig gennem internationale samarbejder og mere multikulturelle samfund. Musik og kultur er både personlige og fænomener der deles med andre, derfor er der behov for bevidsthed om terapeutens og patientens kulturelle baggrund. Ikke desto mindre er det vigtigt at stræbe efter en balance mellem kulturelle overvejelser og den spontane kontakt, der er i musikken, i musikterapi.

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to explore how to integrate music therapy in the treatment of paediatric oncology patients. This is an empirical interpretivist study, using a phenomenological and hermeneutic approach, based on my 9th semester practical experience at the ambulatory chemotherapy unit at a public hospital in Peru. Through a thematic analysis of questionnaire-based interviews with caregivers, volunteers and staff members, the interviewees’ experiences of the impact of music therapy in this unit are studied. Followed by a heuristic analysis examining the connection between culture and music therapy. The outcome of the thematic analysis presents three emergent themes describing music therapy having an impact on attention, enjoyment and relaxation. Between and during medical procedures, music therapy can provide a supportive distraction from the challenging environment. With active and receptive music therapy intervention, relaxation or musical activities can be created helping the child to better cope with the situation. Through the heuristic analysis, the importance of self-reflection, cultural sensitivity and the therapist’s responsibility to respect, support and keep an openness to the personal-cultural-musical background of the patient, are presented. Multicultural music therapy is evolving due to international collaborations and more multicultural societies. Music and culture are both personal and phenomenon shared with others, therefore awareness of the therapist’s and the patient’s cultural background are needed. Nevertheless, it is essential to strive for a balance between cultural considerations and the spontaneous connectivity in the music, in music therapy.

A master thesis from Aalborg University

Music therapy - a supportive distraction: An empirical, interpretivist study exploring music therapy interventions with paediatric oncology patients in the ambulatory chemotherapy unit in a public hospital in Lima, Peru

[Music therapy - a supportive distraction]