A qualitative multiple case study with multiple perspectives on what music therapy affords for individuals with severe traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is known as a complex and comprehensive injury that leaves a devastating blow to the lives of the individuals affected by the traumatic incident both on a personal level and on a global scale. The aim of this thesis is to explore what music therapy can afford for individuals with traumatic brain injury, through conducting a qualitative multiple case study featuring two cases with perspectives from the client’s relative, primary nurse and music therapist. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the relatives and nurses after they had participated in music therapy, and the session logs written by the music therapist. Through the cross analyzation of the main topics emerging from the three perspectives of each case, the 6 main findings suggest that music therapy affords arousal and motivation, awareness of self, others and environment, meaningful social interactions, improvements in quality of relations, empowerment, and space.