Zoekresultaten

Music therapy interventions for stress reduction in adults with mild intellectual disabilities

Stress is increasingly being recognized as one of the main factors that is negatively affecting our health, and therefore there is a need to regulate daily stress and prevent long-term stress. This need seems particularly important for adults with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) who have been shown to have more difficulties coping with stress than adults without intellectual disabilities. Hence, the development of music therapy interventions for stress reduction, particularly within populations where needs may be greater, is becoming increasingly important. In order to gain more insight into the practice-based knowledge on how music therapists lower stress levels of their patients with MID during music therapy sessions, we conducted focus group interviews with music therapists working with adults with MID (N = 13) from different countries and clinical institutions in Europe. Results provide an overview of the most-used interventions for stress reduction within and outside of music. Data-analysis resulted in the further specification of therapeutic goals, intervention techniques, the use of musical instruments, and related therapeutic change factors. The main findings indicate that music therapists used little to no receptive (e.g., music listening) interventions for stress reduction, but preferred to use active interventions, which were mainly based on musical improvisation. Results show that three therapy goals for stress relief could be distinguished. The goal of “synchronizing” can be seen as a sub goal because it often precedes working on the other two goals of “tension release” or “direct relaxation,” which can also be seen as two ways of reaching stress reduction in adults with MID through music therapy interventions. Furthermore, the tempo and the dynamics of the music are considered as the most important musical components to reduce stress in adults with MID. Practical implications for stress-reducing music therapy interventions for adults with MID are discussed as well as recommendations for future research.

PROMPT: articulatietherapie vanuit tactiel-kinesthetische input

PROMPT is a tactile-kinesthetic approach for assessment and treatment of speech production disorders. PROMPT uses tactile-kinethetic cues to facilitate motor speech behaviors. Therapy is structured from basic motor speech patterns with much tactile-lkinesthetic cueing, towards complex motor speech activities with less cueing. This article describes the purpose and contents of PROMPT assessment and therapy.

Oren voor zangeressen

People with voice problems can seek advice and therapy from a speech-language pathologist. Besides having problems with the speaking voice, a number of them are also amateur choristers. In addition to her standard examination, the speech-language pathologist has to specifically describe the use of the singing voice during choral singing and to assess the amount of mutual influence of speaking and singing voice. In therapy, a healthy phonation is learned. In today's practice, the therapist tends to confine herself to training the sepaking voice. It is known that pitch variation influences phonation. As pitch is a complicating factor in singing, the therapist could make the client aware of this influence by using exercises that alternate speaking and singing voice. Reference to and cooperation with singing teachers is essential. A network of speech-language pathologists 'with an ear for singers' and singing teachers should be built up.

Blended Care in Patients With Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis in Physical Therapy: Delphi Study on Needs and Preconditions

Background: Osteoarthritis is a major public health concern. Despite existing evidence-based treatment options, the health care situation remains unsatisfactory. Digital care options, especially when combined with in-person sessions, seem to be promising. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the needs, preconditions, barriers, and facilitators of blended physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Methods: This Delphi study consisted of interviews, an online questionnaire, and focus groups. Participants were physical therapists, patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis with or without experience in digital care, and stakeholders of the health care system. In the first phase, interviews were conducted with patients and physical therapists. The interview guide was based on the Consolidated Framework For Implementation Research. The interviews focused on experiences with digital and blended care. Furthermore, needs, facilitators, and barriers were discussed. In the second phase, an online questionnaire and focus groups served the process to confirm the needs and collect preconditions. The online questionnaire contained statements drawn by the results of the interviews. Patients and physical therapists were invited to complete the questionnaire and participate in one of the three focus groups including (1) patients; (2) physical therapists; and (3) a patient, a physical therapist, and stakeholders from the health care system. The focus groups were used to determine concordance with the results of the interviews and the online questionnaire. Results: Nine physical therapists, seven patients, and six stakeholders confirmed that an increase of acceptance of the digital care part by physical therapists and patients is crucial. One of the most frequently mentioned facilitators was conducting regular in-person sessions. Physical therapists and patients concluded that blended physical therapy must be tailored to the patients' needs. Participants of the last focus group stated that the reimbursement of blended physical therapy needs to be clarified. Conclusions: Most importantly, it is necessary to strengthen the acceptance of patients and physical therapists toward digital care. Overall, fo

Prevalence of Vocal Tract Discomfort in the Flemish Population Without Self-Perceived Voice Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) in the Flemish population without self-perceived voice disorders using the VTD scale and to examine the relationship between vocal load and VTD symptoms. In addition, consistency between the VTD scale and the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and the Corporal Pain scale was evaluated. METHODS: A total of 333 participants completed the VTD scale, the VHI, and the Corporal Pain scale. Patient information about study and voice-related hobbies (for students), state of (non)professional voice user (for employees), smoking, shouting, allergy, and voice therapy was taken into account. RESULTS: A median number of three VTD symptoms was reported, and 88% of the participants showed at least one symptom of VTD. Dryness (70%), tickling (62%), and lump in the throat (54%) were the most frequently occurring symptoms. The frequency and severity of VTD were significantly higher in participants who followed voice-related studies, played a team sport, were part of a youth movement, shouted frequently, and received voice therapy in the past (P < 0.05). Finally, low correlations were obtained between frequency and severity of the VTD scale and total VHI score (r = 0.226-0.411) or frequency and intensity of the Corporal Pain scale (r = 0.016-0.408). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of VTD is relatively high in the Flemish population without self-perceived voice disorders, although the frequency and severity of the symptoms are rather low. Vocal load seems to influence the frequency and severity of VTD. Finally, the VTD scale seems to reveal clinically important information that cannot be gathered from any other protocol.

Intelligent light therapy for older adults: ambient assisted living