Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine (Jan 2020)

The effectiveness of nurses implemented music add-on therapy in children with behavioral problems

  • Radhakrishnan Govindan,
  • John V S. Kommu,
  • Binukumar Bhaskarapillai

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_240_19
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 42, no. 3
pp. 274 – 280

Abstract

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Background: Increasing rates of behavioral problems among children in India necessitates newer ways of managing them with medical and nonmedical approaches. Music add-on therapy is a method for treating mental disturbances. This study examines the effectiveness of music add-on therapy in managing children with behavioral problems. Methods and Materials: A randomized controlled design was adopted with a random allocation of 40 children (20 each in experimental and control groups) aged between 6 and 12 years with behavioral disorders as per the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-10. After the pretest, both the groups received treatment as usual (TAU), while the experimental group alone additionally received music add-on intervention with eight Hindustani ragas for 3 weeks. As clinical outcome measures, we used the Childrens Global Assessment Scale, Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form typical IQ (NCBRF-TIQ) version, and visual analogue scale (VAS) for a parent to monitor the behavioral improvement. Results: Children exposed to the music add-on therapy had improved score in the Children Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and the VAS as compared with the control group (F [2,76] = 34.307, P < 0.001 and F [2,76] = 72.4, P < 0.001, respectively). Further, the NCBRF-TIQ version revealed improvement in positive social behavior (F [2,76] = 13.089, P < 0.001) and reduction in problem behaviors in the experimental group. Conclusion: Music add-on therapy is effective in improving positive social behavior and reducing problem behaviors among children.

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