Framework
mowllo
wk5assgnwellonsmproblemstatement.docx
THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MUSIC THERAPY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT 4
Running head: THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MUSIC THERAPY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
The Role and Efficacy of Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment
Problem Statement
Monique D Brown Wellons
Walden University
The Role and Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment
Problem Statement
Art and music are contextualized as important elements that contribute significantly towards holistic substance abuse treatment. There is a large body of literature that has explored this topic in efforts to explain the effectiveness of using music and art to complement evidence based treatment practices. Aletraris, Paino, Edmond, Roman and Bride (2014) classify art therapy and music therapy as types of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) practices than can be used alongside evidence-based interventions for substance abuse therapy. In their study in the United States, Aletraris et al. (2014) report that 36.8% and 14.7% of 299 treatment programs in the country use art therapy and music therapy respectively.
In another study, Dingle, Baker, Gleadhill, and Dingle (2008) classify music therapy is an effective adjunct to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) offered for groups of substance abuse patients. Dingle et al. (2008) analyzed surveys from 24 participants and report that music therapy provides enjoyment and motivation for substance abuse patients to attend CBT sessions. In another study, Baker, Gleadhill, and Dingle (2007) reports that music therapy exposes substance abuse patients to the experiences of non-drug induced emotions and contribute significantly to therapy. Albornoz (2010) has also studied the effects of music therapy in substance abuse patients and reports that improvisational music therapy improves depression and substance abuse outcomes in patients.
While there is a large sprawl of literature on music therapy in substance abuse treatment, the role of this intervention in treatment of drug abuse is scantily discussed. Extant research has established consensus that music therapy is important in substance abuse treatment, but its roles have not been discussed in detail. In addition, the effectiveness of music therapy in substance abuse has been largely studied qualitatively and not quantitatively. Furthermore, studies on the topic usually suffer from small sample sizes that reduce the external validity of the findings. These literature gaps indicate the need for more research on the topic.
The purpose of the proposed research study is to fill the gaps in existing literature on the roles and effectiveness of music therapy in substance abuse treatment through a meta-analysis on studies conducted on this topic. A meta-analysis would suffice for this topic because it would consolidate the findings of previously published and unpublished studies and improve the validity of findings. In addition, a meta-analysis would engage the theoretical knowledge available about music therapy and establish the effectiveness of music therapy in substance abuse management.
References
Albornoz, Y. (2011). The effects of group improvisational music therapy on depression in adolescents and adults with substance abuse: A randomized controlled trial. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 20(3), 208-224.
Aletraris, L., Paino, M., Edmond, M. B., Roman, P. M., & Bride, B. E. (2014). The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment programs. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 25(4), 190-6.
Baker, F., Gleadhill, L., & Dingle, G. A. (2007). Music therapy and emotional exploration: Exposing substance abuse clients to the experiences of non-drug-induced emotions. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 34, 321-330.
Dingle, G., Baker, F., Gleadhill, L., & Dingle, G. A. (2008). Can music therapy engage patients in group cognitive behaviour therapy for substance abuse treatment? Drug and Alcohol Review, 27(2), 190-196.
