Can music therapy engage patients in group cognitive behaviour therapy for substance abuse treatment?

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION

AND AIMS:
Despite the availability of effective treatments for substance use disorders, engaging people in treatment remains a challenge. This clinical study describes a 7-week trial of music therapy as an adjunct to group cognitive behaviour therapy with the aim of increasing patient engagement in a private hospital open group programme.

DESIGN AND METHODS:
Patient attendance rates and perceptions of the music therapy were collected at the end of each music therapy session by means of an anonymous survey, and only data from each patient's first survey were used in the analysis. Twenty-four surveys were analysed, representing feedback from 10 men and 14 women, aged between 17 and 52 years.

RESULTS:
The average attendance rate over the 7-week trial was 75%. The results indicated that enjoyment and motivation to participate during the sessions was uniformly high (mean ratings of 4.3 and 4.0 out of 5, respectively). The majority (83%) of participants reported that they would attend another music therapy session, and almost half (46%) endorsed that '(music therapy) would help them to feel more a part of the group'. Additional analyses revealed that music therapy was able to engage patients regardless of their age group (25 years and under vs. over-25 years) or substance (alcohol only vs. other drugs).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
Music therapy is a promising approach to improving engagement in substance abuse treatment groups.

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Author information

Author/s: Dingle, Genevieve A (GA); Gleadhill, Libby (L); Baker, Felicity A (FA);

Affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Queensland and Rubicon Drug and Alcohol Program, QLD, Australia.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article

Journal: Drug and alcohol review (Drug Alcohol Rev), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Mar; vol 27 (issue 2) : pp 190-6

Dates: Created 2008/02/11; Completed 2008/03/28;

PMID: 18264881, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Female
Humans
Male

Male
Middle Aged
Music Therapy - methods
Psychotherapy, Group - methods
Questionnaires
Substance-Related Disorders - therapy

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