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Abstract
Hitting the Right Notes: The Nordoff-Robbins Model of Musical Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Compared to Methylphenidate
Ishika Singh, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College
Music encompasses every aspect in a person’s life, from listening to tonal changes in the voices of parents, to the sounds heard by nature and the manmade sounds in the music industry. With psychological and development disorders like ADHD, natural forms of healing would be the most effective in improving a person’s mental state without disrupting the development of the brain and body. However, in the growing field of pharmaceuticals, chemical treatments and medications are the first line of defense. Specific illnesses such as ADHD require more attention to find a sustainable treatment which would allow the patient to become a self-aware individual. In younger and vulnerable ADHD patients, psychostimulants can impact development in the body and brain long term. People’s innate response towards music opens up a platform for people to express themselves. Music has been shown to have positive benefits as long-term treatment therapy because it allows patients to form an emotional bond. I analyzed the neurological responses such as change in affect and behavior when young elementary school children with ADHD are placed in a musical environment. Results from case studies have indicated that the specific model of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy is a strong alternative treatment for younger children with ADHD. The traditional treatment of drugs using the chemical methylphenidate has proven to have harmful side effects such as nausea, stomach ache, headaches, sleep apnea, loss of appetite. The Nordoff-Robbins Model focuses on a client-patient relationship where the structure, cadence, rhythm, scale, and the lyrics of each musical piece is catered towards evoking a specific emotional response from the patient. This study justifies music therapy as a sustainable and effective treatment for children with ADHD and verifies the further implementation of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy model in public institutions such as public elementary schools.
Publication Date
2020
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Prof. Mary Boyes
Sponsorship
Virginia Commonwealth University. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Is Part Of
VCU Undergraduate Research Posters
Rights
© The Author(s)