International Online Collaboration to Enhance Outcomes in Community-Based Rehabilitation Through Music

The Online Music Leadership Program

Abstract

In this 1.5 year action research pilot study, an interprofessional team of co-researchers studied the use of online intercultural collaboration to integrate music therapy-informed activities into community-based rehabilitation (CBR) with rural families in central India. Over four cycles of action and evaluation, Australian music therapy (MT) co-researchers and Indian CBR co-researchers studied the perceived impact of MT-informed activities in CBR for CBR facilitators and participating families, and the online communication strategies and MT information that were useful. The research team identified that the integration of MT-informed activities into CBR led to a perceived increase in family motivation and engagement in CBR, enhanced connection between CBR facilitators and families, and greater enjoyment and fun for all involved. Researchers also identified some foundational MT techniques that were useful and articulated some practical considerations for online intercultural collaboration. Importantly, the research team clarified the scope of information sharing that was useful in the context of online intercultural collaboration, and the need to prioritise local expertise and resources. Learning from this study may inform other online intercultural collaborations in both music therapy and international/community development.

Correction Note:

The URL hyperlink for Willis et al. (2014) is not functional in the article and has been corrected to:

Willis, M., Watson, J., & Talmage, A. (2014). Navigating cross-cultural pathways on Rarotonga: An exploratory collaboration bringing together a music therapist a speech-language therapist, the Cook Islands Ministry of Education and a day centre for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. New Zealand Journal of Music Therapy, 12, 58–86. https://search.informit.org/doi/reader/10.3316/informit.083889767020147