Haywood, Alice (2026) Rethinking Communication in Intellectual Disability Care Through Music: A Mixed-Method Intervention. Bachelor thesis, Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL).
|
PDF
BA5512093AHaywood.pdf Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This research investigates whether music can be used as an intervention technique to facilitate communication between individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. Communication barriers are a frequent challenge in caregiving environments, especially for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities who may struggle with verbal and non-verbal communication. Music, known for its universal capacity to evoke emotional and motor responses, has shown therapeutic potential in improving sensory processing, proprioception, and emotional regulation across diverse populations. In this study the effect on reactive communication of a music intervention involving adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities in care was assessed. The hypothesis is that musical associations will facilitate communication for people with intellectual disabilities. After establishing a baseline of communication through semi-structured caregiver interviews (applying the Rowland Communication Matrix) curated melodies were played to express a basic action, e.g., using the toilet. Whether the melody supported understanding of the intended action was quantitatively assessed after each melody exposure and complemented with another semi-structured interview with the caregiver at the end of the 4-week intervention period. The study included three participants, which is too small a population to draw any significant conclusions. However, caregivers noted changes in behaviour and a positive association to the melodies. This was complemented by app data which indicated an increase in completion rate over the intervention period. Future research could replicate the methodology and approach the research question again with a larger sample size.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Name supervisor: | Zutphen, T. van |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Jun 2026 09:34 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Jun 2026 09:34 |
| URI: | https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/852 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |