The effects of a song-singing programme on the affective speaking intonation of people with traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
To examine changes in the relationship between intonation, voice range and mood following music therapy programmes in people with traumatic brain injury.


METHODS
Data from four case studies were pooled and effect size, ANOVA and correlation calculations were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.


METHODS
Subjects sang three self-selected songs for 15 sessions. Speaking fundamental frequency, fundamental frequency variability, slope, voice range and mood were analysed pre- and post-session.


RESULTS
Immediate treatment effects were not found. Long-term improvements in affective intonation were found in three subjects, especially in fundamental frequency. Voice range improved over time and was positively correlated with the three intonation components. Mood scale data showed that immediate effects were in the negative direction whereas there weres increases in positive mood state in the longer-term.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that, in the long-term, song singing can improve vocal range and mood and enhance the affective intonation styles of people with TBI.
Baker
F
F
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. f.bakr1@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Wigram
T
T
Gold
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training