Physical and Emotional Effects of Harp Therapy

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF HARP THERAPY

Jane Student

Webster University

Counseling 5850 Research and Program Evaluation

Dr. Sandra Robinson

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Proposal Summary 3

Problem Statement and Literature Review 4-7

Proposal Objectives 8

Proposal Methodology 9-10

Time Line 11

Evaluation 12

Implications for Future Research 13

Proposal Budget 14

References 15-16

Appendix A 17

Appendix B 18

Appendix C 19

2 PROPOSAL SUMMARY

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

The benefits of music therapy as it relates to the harp. What are the physical and emotional effects of music therapy as it relates to the harp?

RESEARCH GOALS:

To provide information to helping and medical professionals on the benefits of utilizing harp therapy.

RESEARCH FOCUS:

Harp therapy as a modality for treating clients and patients.

METHODOLOGY:

Survey Research: Collect data and information (questionnaires) from three resources 1) Medical institutions across the United States currently utilizing harp therapy for patients and document known effectiveness. 2) Interview helping professionals currently utilizing harp therapy as a modality. 3) Interview patients and clients who are and/or have experienced harp therapy. Researchers will compile data which includes but not limited to hospital staff, harp therapist, counselors, psychologist, patients and clients.

MEASURMENT AND EXPECTED OUTCOME:

Data from this comprehensive survey will bring awareness to the helping and medical professionals by providing current and relevant information on utilizing harp therapy as an effective healing modality that can be utilized within clinical and home settings. Having current and accurate data available as a result of this survey will provide support effectiveness of the research.

DURATION:

This is a proposed 12 month research study. The proposed cost is $209, 800.00

3 PROBLEM STATEMENT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Research has shown that music has a profound effect on physical health and emotional psyche. The field of health care known as music therapy continues to grow which uses music to heal. Individuals who practice music therapy are finding a benefit in using music to help cancer patients, children with ADD, and others. Hospitals are beginning to use music and music therapy to help with pain management, depression, movement, to calm patients, ease muscle tension, and many other benefits (Aragon, D., Farris, & J.F Byers, 2002).

Research has found that music can bring changes in brainwave activity levels that enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to one’s state of mind, even after one has stopped listening (Volk, J., 2010).

There are also studies on the tonalities and keys of music that effect particular areas of the brain.

Harp therapy is a general term used to describe the types of therapies in which the harp is used. With its soothing timbre and spiritual associations, it has been revered as a healing instrument by many cultures for thousands of years (Guettres, I., 2012). These same studies, demonstrate that music specifically played on the harp by harp practitioners or therapists has several unique healing properties. The resonance from the strings, including the range of pitch and tonal color, set up an important relationship between the sound and the recipient.

Historically, the harp has been a symbol of relief and comfort (Richardson, L., 2009), and many harpists are trained in other therapeutic disciplines such as psychology, music therapy and occupational therapy where the harp is used in their practices to obtain specific cognitive or behavioral changes.

4 This modality can range from a small harp as a bedside instrument to vibroacoustic harp therapy (VAHT) which involves live performance of harp music, amplified through a vibrotactile chair or pad, directly delivered to a patient's body in the form of sound vibration.

When the patient and/or client can sense that specific tones or pitches resonate in areas of the body where pain or tension is experienced, the harp therapist plays music that emphasizes those particular pitches (Hulley, T., 2007). The music played may be improvised or chosen from existing repertoire to support the goal of healing whether it is emotional, physical, mental or spiritual in nature. The soothing sounds of the harp not only can enhance the quality of life, but create the possibility of interactive work in which the patient/client might play the harp (Elkan,

E., 2005).

“Harp therapy may be provided at home or in a clinical setting. The setting largely dictates what size harp can be used; however a variety of sizes of harps may be used to provide therapeutic harp music” (retrieved from http://www.bedsideharp.com,2013). When therapeutic harp music is played, recipients may receive beneficial effects such as increased relaxation, improvement in sleep, decreased pain and anxiety, stabilization of vital signs from adults suffering cardiac issues to neo-natal patients, along with improvement in mood. Music played within hospice facilities can also help a patient to achieve a peaceful transition.

One of the first organizations with concentrations on the healing components of the harp

(Healing Harps) was founded by Ronald Price in 1983, professor emeritus of music at Northern

Illinois University. He found that playing the harp significantly eased his symptoms of cerebral palsy. He started the organization to help others suffering with the same ailments, cancers,

Parkinson disease, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, others suffering from learning disabilities, and

5 emotional problems as a result of trauma. The group rapidly grew to over 300 members

(Democker, M., 1996).

Research in the field of harp therapy not only focuses on clinical studies and case studies, but also explores the unique attributes of the timbre of the harp through cymatics (the study of visible sound and vibration), acoustics, and quantum physics (Volk, J., 2009)

In 2005, Bedside Harp launched a groundbreaking researching project at Robert Wood

Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, New Jersey hoping to pave the way for hospitals around the world promoting serious consideration of adding full-time harp therapist to their staff because of the physical and emotional benefits received by patients/clients. The study included three groups of patient participants who received five to twenty minute sessions of live harp music each day of their hospitalizations resulting in overall improved health (Mintz, M., 2007).

Also, a pilot study on vibroacoustic harp therapy (VAHT) for reduction of pain was conducted in 2007 by Tim Hulley with ten clients for 60 minutes per VAHT session. The hypothesis of the study was supported resulting in the client’s average subjective level of tension/pain lowered by almost half (49.9%) after the treatments, and their average heart rate was

10.5% lower (Hulley, T., 2007).

There have been several studies furthering the education, research, communication and awareness in the emerging field of harp therapy for more than twenty years. However, there should be more studies with current empirical research supporting those using this modality demonstrating the growth and effectiveness of this therapeutic practice. A comprehensive study on the medical fields and clinical professions utilizing this modality is lacking and more data to support this modality is critical.

6 It is apparent that there is a growing interest of harp therapy within the helping and medical profession to heal patients/clients. However, valid research should be conducted to provide additional empirical studies that are current with continual supportive information on the physical and emotional effects of this instrument.

Our study will gather evidence to support the effects by interviewing the medical community, harp therapists, and those who have been recipients of this modality. Our team of researchers will attempt to identify how music therapy is being utilized in hospitals, clinics, and practices to demonstrate the physical and emotional effectiveness.

7 PROPOSAL OBJECTIVES

1. To identify the benefit of music therapy as it relates to the harp in clinical and medical settings.

2. To identify the physical effects of harp therapy.

3. To identify the emotional effects of harp therapy.

8 PROPOSAL METHODOLOGY

The benefits of music therapy as it relates to the harp: What are the physical and emotional effects of music therapy on patients and clients as it relates to the harp?

Once the appropriate contacts are located and permission is received from hospitals and medical facilities; questionnaires will be mailed to a minimum of two hospitals per state within the United States, preferably the larger hospitals that are familiar with harp therapy based on bed count and those considered main hospitals or major healthcare providers. The questionnaire will seek answers in regards to the utilization of harp therapy as a healing modality and the effects on patients within each medical facility.

Associations and affiliations for certified harp therapist (CCM, CMP, CTHP, AHT, and

CAMT) will be contacted which will include but not limited to Harp Therapy Campus, Bedside

Harpists, Harp Therapy International, Healing Harps, and the American Music Therapy

Association. A list of harp therapist will be compiled and a questionnaire will be mailed to a minimum of 100 harp therapists to collect data on their therapeutic practices surrounding the effects of harp therapy on their client/patient population(s).

While collecting data from medical facilities and harp therapists, our goal will be to gather information from clients and patients who have experienced harp therapy (anonymity will be respected and HIPPA guidelines and policies will be observed). However, we will seek the cooperation and assistance of the therapists and hospitals to identify possible candidates interested in participating in our interview and study. Our goal is to acquire at least 75 patients/clients.

9 Two researchers will diligently observe, record, and compile data from all questionnaires.

The objective is to find patterns of information and data surrounding the effects of harp therapy.

Our part-time administrative assistant will assist in follow up for those who have not returned questionnaires, and/or who may have questions regarding the research in order to collect as much information as possible to support the study.

The part-time administrative assistant will also be responsible for maintaining and updating our website on the progress of the study which will be made available to those of interest and the community. The information and findings from our research will periodically be posted and updated on our website throughout the life of the study. Ideally, our study aspires to have a 30% response rate from the subjects categorized above.

Although, the majority of our research will be dependent on mailed questionnaires and follow up phone calls, we have budgeted for travel expenses which will allow room for face to face interviews and observations if warranted or welcomed.

Our team of researchers and staff appreciate the participation of all involved in this study and find it necessary and important to follow up with everyone who participates. We will send thank you notes and additional information on how to access information on our website listing final results from the survey.

Our study of harp therapy will be conducted for one year. The preparation and research components of this study will last about eleven months. From the data compiled, compared, and analyzed, our researchers will determine the effects that harp therapy has on patients and clients who engage in this therapeutic practice.

10 TIMELINE

Months 1-5 Locate and secure office space for researches. Obtain computer and office equipment. Hire researchers and administrative staff. Permission to conduct questionnaires from hospitals and clinics throughout the United States and find appropriate contacts to interview and/or to send questionnaires to build database of contacts.

Months 5-7 Train researchers on data collection. Finalize and mail questionnaires to hospitals, clinics, harp therapist and patients/clients. Follow up (phone calls/emails) with hospitals, clinics, harp therapist, and patients/clients on previously mailed questionnaires.

Months 7-10 Conduct research. Compile data gathered by researchers. Compare and contrast information shared. Identify clinical and medical benefits of harp therapy. Identify emotional and physical effects of harp therapy.

Months 10-12 Evaluate Program and issue final report. Mail thank you notes to all participants of the study.

11 EVALUATION

Questionnaires will be used to obtain information from medical staff, harp therapists, and patients and/or clients who have experienced this form of therapy. Each subject that is interviewed will be asked a set of questions specifically related to their participatory role and/or about the health facility providing such therapy (Please see appendix A-C). All data will be compiled to see if there are significant findings regarding the emotional and physical effect related to harp therapy.

This is considered an exploratory study, it will be considered successful if a 30% response on questionnaires from each category is obtained from subjects being interviewed. At least 100 medical facilities will be targeted, as well as 100 harp therapists, and a goal of at least

75 patients/clients to interview. The questionnaire will be evaluated for good design. The researchers and interviewers will be coached and trained in order to obtain data that is reliable and accurate. The data will be compared and analyzed. The research will be considered successful if enough meaningful feedback is collected and made available to medical personnel and caregivers about the effectiveness of harp therapy.

12 IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

This study will ideally inspire future research on the overall benefits of harp therapy. The detailed questionnaires will give information about medical facilities/hospitals currently utilizing harp therapy and the current effects on patients. A comparative study could be done on hospitals/medical facilities who offer harp therapy and those that do not (observing these statistics should prove interesting). Perhaps, future studies can identify whether or not the benefits are more physical then emotional, as well identifying which hospital units benefit the most from such therapy. The questionnaire will also interview harp therapists and the key results they have identified and/ or observed with their patients and clients who partake in such therapy.

Comparative studies could be executed on the difference between live, recorded and vibroacoustic harp music utilized during therapy and document significant differences, if any.

The study will identify patients who have engaged in harp therapy and future research may examine the demographics of patients and identify continued and lasting effects of such therapy.

The research potential is limitless, and more generalized data on the effectiveness of harp therapy is needed, particularly since the formal concept of such therapy is fairly new and still necessitates empirical studies. This particular study will certainly offer implications for future research.

13 PROPOSAL BUDGET

Office Space and furniture for Year $43, 0000.00

Computer equipment and software, website $12,600.00

Office equipment and phones $8,000.00

Two full-time researches $115,000.00

One Part-time assistant/Data Entry $25,000.00

Office Supplies $1,200.00

Printing, mail of questionnaire $2,000.00

Mileage, travel reimbursement for staff $3,000.00

TOTAL: $209,800.00

14 REFERENCES

Aragon, D., C. Farris, and J. F. Byers. 2002. The effects of harp music in vascular and thoracic surgical patients. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 8, no. 5:52.

Arnon, S., Bauer, S., Dolfin, T., Forman, L., Litmanovitz, I., Regev, R., and Shapsa, A. June 2006. Live music is beneficial to preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit environment. Birth. vol. 33, no. 2: p. 131-136.

Information retrieved from Http://www.bedsideharp.com.

Block, S.M., Kemper, K., Martin, K., Shoaf, R., and Woods, C. March/April 2004. Attitudes and expectations about music therapy for premature infants among staff in a neonatal intensive care unit. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. vol. 10, no. 2: p. 50-54.

Boone, A., Quelch, D.V.M. Summer 2003. Effects of harp music therapy on canine patients in veterinary hospital settings. The Harp Therapy Journal. vol.8, No.2.

Dallas-Fenney.S.,D.O. 2004. Pilot study demonstrates positive effects of vibroacoustic harp therapy variability. Music Vibrations and Health.

Democker, M., June.2006. Music and Environments of Healing Harp. The Harp Therapy Journal.

Elkan, E. Summer 2005. Bedside harp launches a groundbreaking research project. The Harp Therapy Journal: vol. 10, no. 2: p. 1, 15.

Elkan, E., Nolan, D.V. Summer 2004. Taking up the harp as an adult sweetens life, study shows. The Harp Therapy Journal.

Guettres, I. Winter 2012-13. Becoming a harping psychologist. The Harp Therapy Journal. vol. 17, no. 4.

Hulley, T., M.A., C.M.P, 2007. Vibroacoustic Harp Therapy reduces tension/pain in a 10 subject pilot study. The Harp Therapy Journal. Vol.12, No.2.

Hulley,T., 2006. Vibroacoustic harp therapy for reduction of tension/ pain: a 10- subject pilot study. Heartstrings Publication.

15 Jenny, H., Summer 2009. From Vibration to Manifestation: assuming our Rightful Place in Creation. The Quester.

Mintz, M., 2007. An interview with Richard B. Frantianne, MD. The Harp Therapy Journal. Vol.12, No.1.

Richardson, L., (2009) Harps Healing Qualitites, Soothe Hospital Patients, Staff. Republican’s Herald. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from www.Rebulicanherlad.com.

Volk. J., 2010. Insights into the invisible world of sound. Caduceus. Issue 71.

Was, D., (2012) Music as Medication. National Public Radio (NPR). Retrieved December 12, 2012, from www.npr.org .

16 Appendix A

Questionnaire for Medical Facilities:

1. Does your medical facility have a music therapist on site/or on staff?

____Yes____No

____On Site____On Staff____Both (on site and on staff)

For How long?<1 yr ____1-3 Years____3-5 Years____5-7 Years____8-10 Years____10Yrs+

2. Does your medical facility have a harpist or a harp therapist/practitioner on site?

____Yes____No

____On Site____On Staff____Both (on site and on staff)

For How long?<1yr ____1-3 Years____3-5 Years____5-7 Years____8-10 Years____10Yrs+

3. If yes, how many harp therapists are at your facility?

____Between 1-2 ____Between 3-4 ____5 or more

4. In Which Department(s)/unit(s) is harp therapy or music therapy utilized? (check all that apply)

O EMERGENCY ROOM

O CARDIOLOGY

O INTENSIVE CARE UNIT/CCU

O LABOR AND DELIVERY/WOMEN'S SERVICES

O PEDIATRICS

O CHILD CARE

17 O NURSERY

O NICU

O RADIOLOGY

O LABORATORY

O RESPIRATORY THERAPY

O ORTHOPEDICS

O MEDICAL UNIT

O OUTPATIENT SURGERY

O ENDOSCOPY

O TELEMETRY

O DIALYSIS

O NEUROLOGY

O OTHER______

5. Please explain the emotional and physical effects of utilizing harp therapy within your medical facility.

6. Please attach or list documents supporting the music therapy/harp therapy effects within your medial facility.

7. Additional Comments:

Leave more space with lines for subjects to answer 5 & 6

Appendix B

Questionnaire for Harp Therapist/Music Therapist:

1. Are you a licensed Harp Therapist and/or Music Therapist or both?

1. Harp____Yes___No 2. Music ___Yes___No 3. Other ___ Explain______

2. What licenses/certification do you obtain?

____LMT ____CMT____BA____MA ____PHD _____CTHP_____Other____LPCC____ CCM____ CMP, ____CTHP ____AHT____CAMT ___other

18 Please Explain______

3. If so, where did you obtain your license?

Please Explain______

4. How long have you practiced Harp Therapy?

<1yr ____1-2 Years____3-4Years____5-6Years____6-7Years____8-9Years____10years+

5. How often do you use harp therapy in your work?

____1-5 times per week____6-10 times per week ____11-15 times per week____16 or more times per week.

6. Where do you practice harp therapy?

____Private practice____Hospital(s)____Nursing Home Facilities____Hospice____Clinic ___other

7. In Which clients/ patients/ Medical department/unit(s) do you use harp therapy?

8. Do you use harp therapy with individuals or groups?

____Individual____Group____Both (Individual and Group)

9. Please provide the name of the facilities where you practice harp therapy.

Facility one:______

Facility two:______

Facility three:______

10. How long have you played harp therapy at the facilities listed above?

19 Facility one:_____Month______Years

Facility two______Month______Years

Facility three_____Month______Years

11. Do you engage in live or recorded harp music, please explain: ______

12. Please describe the benefits and effects of harp therapy that you have noticed with your patients and/or clients:______

Appendix C

Questionnaire for patients/clients who have experienced harp therapy:

1. How long have you participated in harp therapy?

Please explain______

2. Where did you experience harp therapy?

____Hospital Setting____Clinic Setting____Hospice Setting_____Group_____Individual ___other

If Other, Please Explain:______

Please provide the name of the facility where you experienced harp therapy______

3. Please describe how the therapy affected your overall well-being (emotional, and/or physical)______

4. How many sessions of harp therapy did you engage in?

____1-3____4-7_____5-8____9-12_____12+ (you qualify above that they have had harp therapy)

20 5. How long did each session last?

______

6. Were the sessions live or recorded harp music, or both?

_____live ______recorded ______both (live and recorded)

7. Please provide additional information or comments you would like to share below:______

At what age did you participate in harp therapy?

Age: ____0-2years _____3-8years ____10-12years_____13-17years____18-25years_____26-30years

_____31-35years____36-40years____41-45years____45-50years_____50-60years____60-65years

_____66+years

Ethnicity______

Gender____Female ____Male Annual Salary _____$10, 0000-$30, 0000_____$31, 0000-$40,0000

____$41, 0000-$50,000 ____$51, 0000-$60, 0000_____$61, 0000+

(Maybe education?)