Date of Award

1-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School

College of the Arts

Department/Program

John J. Cali School of Music

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Brian Abrams

Committee Member

Kenneth Sumner

Committee Member

V J Manzo

Abstract

The objective of this research study was to investigate the effects of vocal toning interventions informed by a BioAcoustics assessment tool on the perceived pain and the vocal profile in a participant diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The study employed a single case study design. The participant (N=l) was a woman diagnosed with fibromyalgia, who underwent a series of ten 25-minute music therapy treatments of vocal toning, twice a week, for five weeks. Vocal profile was recorded and measured with the BioAcoustics nano Voice program for each session, pre- and post-treatment. Perceived pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire for each session, pre- and post-treatment. The following hypotheses were formulated: (a) The incidence of tones comprising the participant’s vocal profile will be significantly better distributed (based upon established norms) following each treatment session; (b) The incidence of tones comprising the participant’s vocal profile will be significantly better distributed (based upon established norms) with time, over the treatment series; (c) The participant’s perceived pain will be lower following each treatment session; (d) The participant’s perceived pain will become lower with time, over the treatment series; and (e) There will be a positive correlation between deviation of vocal profile from ideal levels, and levels of pain perception. Data were analyzed using t-tests, linear regression, and a Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Findings indicated that the vocal toning intervention had a significant effect on short-term pain but insignificant effects on long-term pain and vocal profile distribution. No significant correlation was found between changes in the vocal profile and pain perception. Implications for clinical work and future research were considered.

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