As our population grows, so does the need for rehabilitation, particularly for the youngest and oldest populations (40% of the Canadian population). At the same time, most health care systems are also facing a clinical staffing shortage that is difficult to address, in part because of associated costs. Professors Anna Zumbansen and Gilles Comeau were awarded a CFI grant to search for innovative solutions to this societal problem.
Given the potential health benefits of music making and the large number of musicians and music educators in Canada, this project examines the possible advantages of non-clinical group music education programs for children and older adults with rehabilitation needs in mental health, voice and speech, cognitive, and motricity domains. Three types of adapted music education programs will be studied (singing-based, movement-based or instrument-based) for their effect on enjoyment, social connection, and quality of life, as well as specific measures in each rehabilitation domain and for individuals with complex rehabilitation needs.
The specific objectives will be the identification of 1) the immediate and cumulative changes on rehabilitation measures following the targeted music practices; and 2) the music education approaches that are best for specific disability conditions. Each participant will be assessed before and after 24 weeks of engagement in a given music program to document cumulative changes, as well as before, during, and after single music sessions to document immediate changes brought by the activity. A mixed research design will be used: both an experimental approach using single-case experimental designs (SCED), and a complementary cohort observational approach.
By providing scientific evidence for integrating best music education programs into health care, this research has the strong potential of bringing health and social wellness benefits to many individuals and communities in Canada, while lowering the costs and burden on the healthcare system.
Given the potential health benefits of music making and the large number of musicians and music educators in Canada, this project examines the possible advantages of non-clinical group music education programs for children and older adults with rehabilitation needs in mental health, voice and speech, cognitive, and motricity domains. Three types of adapted music education programs will be studied (singing-based, movement-based or instrument-based) for their effect on enjoyment, social connection, and quality of life, as well as specific measures in each rehabilitation domain and for individuals with complex rehabilitation needs.
The specific objectives will be the identification of 1) the immediate and cumulative changes on rehabilitation measures following the targeted music practices; and 2) the music education approaches that are best for specific disability conditions. Each participant will be assessed before and after 24 weeks of engagement in a given music program to document cumulative changes, as well as before, during, and after single music sessions to document immediate changes brought by the activity. A mixed research design will be used: both an experimental approach using single-case experimental designs (SCED), and a complementary cohort observational approach.
By providing scientific evidence for integrating best music education programs into health care, this research has the strong potential of bringing health and social wellness benefits to many individuals and communities in Canada, while lowering the costs and burden on the healthcare system.