Using altered states of consciousness in improvisational music therapy : the potential of resonance frequency breathing
Improvisational music therapy is a type of creative arts therapy in which clients
are encouraged to express themselves through the symbolic and non-verbal
medium of music, by creating free music improvisations together with the
therapist. The present research aims at investigating whether the efficacy of this
method can be further enhanced by purposefully accessing the ego-quieting
properties of altered states of consciousness.
This work proceeds in three main steps. First, the notions of consciousness
and its alteration are examined and reformulated, resulting in a more
comprehensive theoretical model. Then, existing methods for inducing altered
states of consciousness are evaluated in terms of suitability for the context of
improvisational music therapy. This leads to the selection of resonance frequency
breathing (RFB), a cardiorespiratory intervention known for its ability to balance
the autonomic nervous system, reduce stress, and improve emotional regulation.
Lastly, the effects and potential benefits of RFB are investigated through three
single-case experimental studies, where 10 minutes of RFB are added at the
beginning of every other therapy session, in alternation with a control
intervention.
The results suggest that RFB has the ability to both deepen and support the
processes naturally occurring during therapy, by either favouring the emergence
of difficult emotions and therapeutically relevant themes, or helping with the
regulation of excessive arousal, depending on the client’s current needs and
coping abilities. Therefore, RFB seems to be an adaptive intervention whose
apparent therapy-enhancing effects should also result in better outcomes. This
last point is currently being investigated in a randomised controlled trial of
improvisational music therapy for adults with depression.
...


Publisher
Jyväskylän yliopistoISBN
978-951-39-7563-0ISSN Search the Publication Forum
2489-9003Contains publications
- Artikkeli I: Brabant, O. (2016). More than meets the Eye : Towards a Post-materialist Model of Consciousness. Explore : The Journal of Science and Healing, 12 (5), 347-354. DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2016.06.006
- Artikkeli II: Brabant, O., Solati, S., Letule, N., Liarmakopoulou, O., & Erkkilä, J. (2017). Favouring emotional processing in improvisational music therapy through resonance frequency breathing: a single-case experimental study with a healthy client. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 26 (5), 453-472. DOI: 10.1080/08098131.2016.1277253
- Artikkeli III: Brabant, O., van de Ree, M., & Erkkilä, J. (2017). The effect of resonance frequency breathing when used as a preparatory exercise in music psychotherapy : A single-case experimental study of a client with anxiety disorder. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 56, 7-18. DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2017.08.004
- Artikkeli IV: Brabant, O., & Erkkilä, J. (2018). Enhancing improvisational music therapy through the addition of resonance frequency breathing : Common findings of three single-case experimental studies. Music Therapy Perspectives, 36 (2), 224-233. DOI: 10.1093/mtp/miy009
- Artikkeli V: Erkkilä, Jaakko; Brabant, Olivier; Saarikallio, Suvi; Ala-Ruona, Esa; Hartmann, Martin; Letule, Nerdinga; Geretsegger, Monika; Gold, Christian (2019). Enhancing the efficacy of integrative improvisational music therapy in the treatment of depression : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 20 (0), 244. DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3323-6
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