This study examined the effects of a Music Therapy Voice Protocol (MTVP) on speech intelligibility, vocal intensity, maximum vocal range, maximum duration of sustained vowel phonation, vocal fundamental frequency, vocal fundamental frequency variability, and mood of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Four female patients, who demonstrated voice and speech problems, served as their own controls and participated in baseline assessment (study pretest), a series of MTVP sessions involving vocal and singing exercises, and final evaluation (study posttest). In study pre and posttests, data for speech intelligibility and all acoustic variables were collected. Statistically significant increases were found in speech intelligibility, as rated by caregivers, and in vocal intensity from study pretest to posttest as the results of paired samples t-tests. In addition, before and after each MTVP session (session pre and posttests), self-rated mood scores and selected acoustic variables were collected. No significant differences were found in any of the variables from the session pretests to posttests, across the entire treatment period, or their interactions as the results of two-way ANOVAs with repeated measures. Although not significant, the mean of mood scores in session posttests (M = 8.69) was higher than that in session pretests (M = 7.93).
We introduce real-time and interactive tools for assisting vocal training. In this presentation, we demonstrate mainly a tool based on real-time visualizer of fundamental frequency candidates to provide information-rich feedback to learners. The visualizer uses an efficient algorithm using analytic signals for deriving phase-based attributes. We start using these tools in vocal training for assisting learners to acquire the awareness of appropriate vocalization. The first author made the MATLAB implementation of the tools open-source. The code and associated video materials are accessible in the first author's GitHub repository.
This historical study explored the contributions of Juliette Alvin to the early development of Japanese music therapy. Alvin visited Japan twice, once in 1967 and once in 1969. Despite the brevity of her stays, Alvin presented Japanese music therapy pioneers with a vivid picture of music therapy profession and clinical practice. Professional associations were launched, catalyzed by her visit. Alvin's clinical demonstrations inspired one of the music therapy pioneers to explore not only his own philosophy but a comprehensive view of the future direction of Japanese music therapy. A young musician, who worked as an assistant in Alvin's sessions, adopted her approach and became a leader in Japanese music therapy. Information about Alvin were obtained from letters, books, newspapers, journal articles, interviews with Japanese music therapy pioneers, and Alvin's own reports on her practice in Japan. Implications of Alvin's approach are also discussed for the role that music therapy today can play in addressing the needs of clients.
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