The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of and preference for different auditory stimuli in supporting mindfulness meditation. Undergraduate non-musicians ( N = 57) listened to four different auditory stimuli guiding them in a mindfulness meditation: script only (i.e., Script), steady beat (i.e., Beat), beat and harmonic progression (i.e., Harmony), and beat, harmony, and melody (i.e., Melody). This study used a within-subjects repeated-measures design with the four conditions counterbalanced and randomized across participants. Participants rated responses using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), completed the Absorption in Music Scale (AIMS), and ranked auditory stimuli according to preference and usefulness for mindfulness meditation. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on the MAAS scores, using the AIMS as a covariate, indicated no statistically significant difference between auditory stimuli. However, with the AIMS removed, the analysis revealed significant differences between stimuli, indicating that levels of absorption in music may moderate participants’ responses to auditory stimuli for mindfulness meditation. Friedman analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and post hoc analyses indicated that participant rankings of usefulness and preference were significantly different among conditions, with the Melody and Harmony conditions ranked highest.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of participation in music therapy support groups (MTSG) on physical, psychological, and social functioning of cancer patients and caregivers. Participants were 24 cancer patients and 17 caregivers randomly assigned to experimental (n=21) or wait-list control (n=20) groups. All participants completed the Music Therapy Support Group Assessment Form (MTSG-AF) beforehand to provide demographic information and music preferences. The primary dependent variables were mood, coping, social support, and quality of life as measured by the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) and Trait (STAI-T) scales, the Personal Resource Questionnaire 85-Part 2 (PRQ85-Part 2), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General Form (FACT-G). These measures, completed by all participants at baseline, midpoint, and end of three weeks, assessed the long-term effect (three weeks) of participation in the MTSG. The MTSG Numerical Rating Scales (MTSG-NRS) were used to evaluate the short-term effect of each 60-minute music therapy session on mood, pain, stress, anxiety, and quality of life. Experimental participants completed six music therapy support group sessions over a three-week period in which several music therapy interventions were utilized: singing, songwriting, playing instruments, movement with music, creative arts with music, and music-assisted relaxation. The wait-list control group had the opportunity to participate in music therapy sessions after their control period was over. In addition, experimental group participants (MTSG) and wait-list control group participants, who completed music therapy sessions after their control period was over, filled out the Music Therapy Support Group Evaluation Questionnaire (MTSG-EQ). The data from the POMS, STAI-S, STAI-T, PRQ85-Part 2, and FACT-G questionnaires were analyzed using five individual repeated measures analysis of variance. The MTSG group showed a significant improvement in mood (as measured by the POMS) and a significant decrease in anxiety (as measured by the STAI-S) as a result of participation in the music therapy support groups; the control group showed no significant change over time. The MTSG also showed improvement, though nonsignificant, on social support and quality of life; the control group remained stable on these measures over time. Data from the MTSG-NRS were analyzed using a Wilcoxon Rank Sum test. Analyses revealed that the MTSG achieved significant improvement in mood and significant decrease in stress and anxiety throughout each 60-minute music therapy session. Participation in the MTSG significantly decreased the perception of pain and significantly improved quality of life in four of six sessions. Ratings and open-ended remarks from the Music Therapy Support Group Evaluation Questionnaire (MTSG-EQ) showed high levels of satisfaction with the MTSG. The experimental group participants rated the overall experience as excellent (n=9) or good (n=9), and felt they benefi...

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