Restitutional Factors In Group Music Therapy With Psychiatric Patients Based On a Modification of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)

Abstract

The article focuses on a qualitative music psychotherapy research project at Set. Hans Hospital in Denmark. Nine patients participated in a group music therapy setting over six months. The article describes the effect of music therapy on the patients' level of functioning and the patients' own evaluation of the music therapy. Data sources included the GAF (DSM axis 5), a self-administered questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The music therapy model used is a receptive approach using music and imagery inspired by GIM. The model used is based on patients' imagery during selected, primarily classical, music specially designed for an inpatient setting. Results: The GAF investigation showed a positive effect of 7.2% in a meridian score, and the interview and questionnaires pointed out which parts of the therapy the patients found most supportive. The study indicates that the music therapy group was a good support for the patients, and the identified results suggest the need for investigations and empirical studies within this area. The patients benefited from the structured form, and they found the music part of the therapy helpful, both emotionally and structurally. It can be concluded that even if the study includes only a small number of participants, the music therapy method described here as modified GIM, may be a suitable treatment for schizotypical and schizophrenic patients in long-term therapy, with careful selection of musical pieces. The patients' own comments about the music therapy group show that eight out of nine patients were satisfied with the therapy and felt themselves supported. This was also evident in a decidedly stable attendance of 98 %.