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
Translated title
Music therapy - a supportive distraction
Author
Helander, Sarah Elisabeth
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2018
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan musikterapi kan integreres i behandlingen af børn med kræft. Studiet er empirisk og interpretivistisk, dvs. det fokuserer på, hvordan mennesker forstår og oplever deres situation. Det anvender en fænomenologisk og hermeneutisk tilgang (undersøgelse af levede erfaringer og deres fortolkning) og bygger på forfatterens 9.-semesters praktikophold på en ambulant kemoterapienhed på et offentligt hospital i Peru. Spørgeskemabaserede interviews med pårørende, frivillige og medarbejdere blev analyseret tematisk. Derudover blev der foretaget en heuristisk, selvrefleksiv analyse af forholdet mellem kultur og musikterapi. Tre temaer trådte frem: virkninger på opmærksomhed, glæde og afslapning. Før, under og mellem medicinske procedurer kunne musikterapi give en støttende afledning fra et udfordrende miljø. Både aktiv musikterapi (at lave musik) og receptiv musikterapi (at lytte) hjalp med at skabe ro og aktiviteter, der støttede barnets mestring. Den refleksive analyse fremhævede behovet for selvrefleksion, kulturel sensitivitet og terapeutens ansvar for at respektere og være åben over for den enkelte patients personlige, kulturelle og musikalske baggrund. I takt med internationale samarbejder og mere mangfoldige samfund udvikler multikulturel musikterapi sig. Terapeuter bør være opmærksomme på både deres egen og patientens kulturelle baggrund og samtidig bevare den spontane musikalske forbindelse i terapien og finde en balance mellem disse hensyn.
This master’s thesis examines how music therapy can be integrated into the treatment of children with cancer. It is an empirical, interpretivist study, meaning it focuses on how people make sense of their experiences. The work uses phenomenological and hermeneutic approaches (study of lived experience and its interpretation) and draws on the author’s ninth‑semester clinical placement at an outpatient chemotherapy unit in a public hospital in Peru. Questionnaire‑based interviews with caregivers, volunteers, and staff were analyzed thematically. In addition, a heuristic, self‑reflective analysis explored how culture relates to music therapy. Three themes emerged: effects on attention, enjoyment, and relaxation. Before, during, and between medical procedures, music therapy offered a supportive distraction from a challenging environment. Both active music therapy (making music) and receptive music therapy (listening) helped create relaxation and activities that supported children’s coping. The reflective analysis highlighted the need for self‑reflection, cultural sensitivity, and the therapist’s responsibility to respect and remain open to each patient’s personal, cultural, and musical background. As international collaboration grows and societies become more diverse, multicultural music therapy is evolving. Therapists should be aware of both their own and their patients’ cultural backgrounds while also preserving the spontaneous musical connection in therapy and balancing these considerations.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
Keywords
Documents