The effect of sedative music on electromyographic biofeedback assisted relaxation training of spastic cerebral palsied adults

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1982; 19: 210-218.

Abstract: Three spastic, cerebral palsied 23-33 yr olds received EMG biofeedback relaxation training only, while 3 Ss received similar treatment with a sedative instrumental music background. The sedative instrumental background music served as the independent variable; the dependent variable was the degree of tension of the finger extensor muscles of the arm of greatest involvement, as measured by the biofeedback mechanism. Each S received 3 20-min training sessions per week for a 5-wk period. Results show a 32.5% mean decrease of muscle tension in the group receiving only the EMG biofeedback training. The group receiving the EMG biofeedback training with sedative background music demonstrated a mean decrease of 65%. Although results strongly favor the background music condition, the sample size was not sufficient for statistical analysis. Replication is suggested, using a sample size that would permit valid statistical analysis. (23 ref) ABSTRACT 2: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sedative instrumental background music on EMG-assisted biofeedback relaxation training of spastic cerebral palsied adults. One group of subjects (n=3) received EMG biofeedback relaxation training only, while the second group (n=3) received similar treatment with a sedative instrumental music background which served as the independent variable. The dependent variable was the degree of tension of the finger extensor muscles of the arm of greater involvement, as measured by the biofeedback mechanism. Each subject received three twenty-minute training sessions per week for a five-week period. Results showed a 32.5% mean decrease of muscle tension in the group receiving only the EMG biofeedback training. The group receiving the EMG biofeedback training with sedative background music demonstrated a mean decrease of 65%. Although results srongly favored the background music condition, the sample size was not sufficient for statistical analysis. Replication is suggested, using a sample size that would permit valid statistical analysis.

Note: sedative instrumental background music; muscle tension after EMG biofeedback relaxation training; 23 33 yr old spastic cerebral palsied adults

Keyword(s): Music therapy; muscle relaxation; biofeedback training; electromyography ; cerebral palsy; spasms ; relaxation therapy

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