Music therapy and remedial reading: Six studies testing specialized hemispheric processing

Author(s): Parker, Phoebe, Giokas, Deborah, Werner, Joanne

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1982; 19: 219-229.

Abstract: Summarizes 6 studies examining various facets of information processing in remedial reading. The purpose was to determine whether dichotic presentation of vocabulary words and their definitions in one ear with music in the other would result in improved vocabulary scores. Ss in all studies were 66 7th, 8th, and 9th graders in a special reading program who were reading 2-4 grade levels lower than normal. 60 vocabulary words were selected from graded vocabulary lists; 30 were used in the dichotic tape with music, and the other 30 were used in both channels of the words/definitions-only tape. Sessions using dichotic tapes averaged 5 min in length, and all treatment sessions occurred over 4 consecutive classroom days. Ss were pre- and posttested to assess their knowledge of the vocabulary words. Each study is discussed in terms of the dichotic listening condition presented and the results obtained. Implications for future research examining hemispheric processing are also discussed. ABSTRACT 2: This paper summarizes six studies examining various facets of information processing in the remedial reading setting. The purpose was to determine whether dichotic presentation of vocabulary words and their definitions in one ear with music in the other would result in improved vocabulary scores. Subjects in all studies were seventh, eighth, and ninth grade students in a special reading program who were reading two to four grade levels lower than normal. Sixty vocabulary words were selected from graded vocabulary lists; Thirty were used in the dichotic tape with music and the other thirty were used in both channels of the words/definitions only tape. Sessions using dichotic tapes averaged five minutes in length, and all treatment sessions occurred over four consecutive classroom days. Students were pre and posttested to assess their knowledge of the vocabulary words. Each study is discussed in terms of the dichotic listening condition presented and the results obtained. Implications for future research examining hemispheric processing are then discussed.

Note: dichotic presentation of words & their definitions in one ear & music in the other; vocabulary scores; 7th 9th graders who read 2 4 yrs below grade level; implications for research in hemispheric processing

Keyword(s): Dichotic stimulation; vocabulary ; music therapy; remedial reading; junior high school students; high school students; reading disabilities; lateral dominance

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