Reconstructing the Boundaries of Dementia: Clinical Improvisation as a Musically Mindful Experience in Long Term Care

Autores

  • Joanna Parsons British Association of Music Therapy, UK and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy/Goldsmiths University, UK.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i2.943

Palavras-chave:

dementia, clinical improvisation, music analysis, neurodegenerative boundaries, mindfulness, musical values, well being, health

Resumo

This study explores the use of clinical improvisation with clients either showing symptoms of or having a diagnosis of dementia (related symptoms, e.g. social isolation, depression, disorientation, and cognitive deterioration). Many studies have been completed on the use of music therapy with this population; however few have focused on improvisation. This study is unique in that it explores the experiences of improvisation with a focus on musical analysis and meaning. Through a qualitative study of eight weekly sessions with six different female clients, this investigation aims to offer a rich description of moments of improvised music in relation to characteristics that often deteriorate with dementia. A discussion on the transcendence of certain boundaries of dementia through the natural qualities of mindfulness that exist within a musical experience is provided.

Biografia do Autor

Joanna Parsons, British Association of Music Therapy, UK and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy/Goldsmiths University, UK.

Joanna received an Honours BMus in Music Theory and Composition from Memorial University in 2009 and completed the Master of Music Therapy program from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2011. During her career she has worked with adults in long term care, children with special needs and more recently, socially vulnerable groups and communities. Her practice has taken her to a variety of countries including Canada, Nepal, Uganda, and her current location in Devon, England where she works in the mainstream school system. Joanna is the south west coordinator of the British Association of Music Therapy and is a Phd student at Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy/Goldsmiths University.

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Arquivos adicionais

Publicado

2018-04-24

Como Citar

Parsons, J. (2018). Reconstructing the Boundaries of Dementia: Clinical Improvisation as a Musically Mindful Experience in Long Term Care. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i2.943

Edição

v. 18 n. 2 (2018)

Seção

Research

Licença

Articles published prior to 2019 are subject to the following license, see: https://voices.no/index.php/voices/copyright