Intentional Uses of Music in Occupational Therapy Practice: The Effectiveness of a Workshop

Anna B. Galloway, University of FloridaFollow
Alexandra K. Rodriguez, University of FloridaFollow

Document Type (Journals)

Educational Innovations

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) do not receive additional training on the physiological, emotional, mental, and physical effects of music on the body or how to improve and increase its use in occupational therapy (OT) practice. Additionally, the specific effects of the use of music within OT practice have not been fully explored. This workshop was created to develop skills related to appropriately using music as supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-IV, and to address gaps in knowledge regarding how to use music intentionally, effectively, and safely in OT practice. This study's purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a continuing education workshop on increasing OTPs’ confidence of facilitating intentional uses of music in OT practice. The free four-hour workshop was implemented as a continuing education course for currently practicing OTPs. Participants (N=13) completed Pre- and Post-Course Surveys and results indicated an increase in confidence levels for all twelve survey items. The One-Month Follow-Up Survey (N=6) measured the carryover of learned material and gathered additional information to inform revisions of workshop content for future implementation. Qualitative themes emerged indicating the workshop was effective for increasing understanding of how music impacts the brain and body and confidence in clinical application of music in OT practice. Results indicate the need to increase educational opportunities for OTPs regarding using music in practice.

Biography

Anna Baird-Galloway, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, MT-BC, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, is a music therapist and occupational therapist. Her clinical expertise includes critical care and psychosocial settings. She teaches OT theory, psychosocial OT, and adult occupation-based rehabilitation courses. She serves as the faculty coordinator for the OT Equal Access Clinic.

Alexandra K. Rodriguez, MPH, a current Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar and Public Health PhD student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration at the University of Florida, practices research at the intersection of arts and public health.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

Galloway, A. B., & Rodriguez, A. K. (2024). Intentional Uses of Music in Occupational Therapy Practice: The Effectiveness of a Workshop. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 8 (4). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2024.080418