VIBROACOUSTIC (( )) MUSIC THERAPY A transdisciplinary move towards quality of life

1. VIBROACOUSTIC (( )) MUSIC THERAPY A transdisciplinary move towards quality of life Luiz Rogério Jorgensen Carrer*, Cristiane Amorosino**, Lilian E. Coelho***, Silvia Rosas**** *Music Therapist and Musician (FPA-SP-Brazil), **Music Therapist, Master in Developmental Disabilities at Mackenzie U. (SP-Brazil), ***Music Therapist, Master in Semiotics and Communication at PUC (SP-Brazil) , ****Psicologist, Master in Developmental Disabilities at Mackenzie U. (SP-Brazil). RESULTS The results showed favorable conditions along the course of this experiment, indicating improvement in subject´s well-being, relaxation, stabilization of vital signs and a drop in pain levels during and after each session. Music and low frequency sound vibrations are used in the treatment of medical conditions in many countries. Brazil didn´t have any research being done in the vibroacoustic music therapy field. It´s important to understand the vibroacoustic music therapy process in a trans-disciplinary spectrum. This pilot study presents an experimental investigation, through a case study, with an osteoarthritis patient. This is a degenerative and incapacitating disease. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this pilot study was to verify if the use of vibroacoustic music therapy as a therapeutic intervention would provide comfort through relaxation, and remove or diminish pain in the subject, thus increasing his personal, professional and social quality of life. Collected data showed the general physiological effects and effects on the psyche of the patient resulting from this practice, using hybrid methods of research, and quantitative as well as qualitative analysis. METHOD Participant: 39 year – old woman, diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Location and equipment: Sessions were conducted In the Sinergiamusic laboratory, in an appropriate setting, outfitted with the necessary equipment and conditions for the experiment. Equipment used are the following: a ‘vibroacoustic chair’, an audio mixer, a computer running a specific audio treatment and editing software, an audio amplifier, and an mp3 player. The equipment, low- frequency sound waves and the music chosen for this study, were duly constructed, created and programmed according to the criteria developed by Skille&Alvin (1968); Skille&Wigram (1982, 2005); Skille&Wigram (1995, 2007). PROCEDURE Ten weekly sessions were conducted, lasting between 45 – 50 minutes each, subdivided into 10 minutes for each vibration, with a one – minute silence pause between them. A pre - session interview was also made to fill out the music therapy research form. The vibroacoustic music therapy procedure described here included the use of low frequency sound waves of 24Hz, 48Hz and 68Hz, as well as music which was pre-recorded and played back with an audio player and transmitted directly to the subject´s body through the use of a vibroacoustic device containing a vibroacoustic chair. Data gathering procedure Data gathering was conducted before and after each session, using the evaluation forms. We used quantitative registration forms referring to the vital signs of the subject, a form with a pain level visual numeric scale, and a questionnaire referring to the physical and emotional state of the subject before and after each session. Data analysis procedure Data analysis was done following the evaluation protocol, through collecting data and cross examining quantitative and qualitative data. CONCLUSION Vibroacoustic music therapy can ease physical and mental self – consciousness, promoting sensibilization for the individual through the use of sound vibrations and music as a process and approach in therapy. The study developed through this pilot research showed an increase in quality of the intrapersonal self perception of the subject within a transpersonal setting, easing the musical therapeutic process in a global and integrated manner, with positive health consequences and daily quality of life for the patient. It is, therefore, necessary to acquire a more in – depth view of this knowledge, and to conduct this study in a broader population.