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The purpose of this study was to describe the university vocal training and vocal health of music educators and music therapists. The participants (N = 426), music educators (n = 351) and music therapists (n = 75), completed a survey addressing demographics, vocal training, voice usage, and vocal health. Both groups reported singing at least 50% of the work day; moreover, music educators complained of vocal fatigue and hoarseness at the end of the week. Music educators expressed concern about their vocal health, due to the unique demands of music instruction and large classes. A majority of participants, particularly instrumental concentration majors, expressed a desire for more career-focused vocal training. Results suggest that additional university training in vocal health could help prevent vocal abuse and misuse among music educators and therapists; furthermore, music educators may be better qualified to promote healthy singing among developing voices.

The effects of Xenon gas inhalation on neuropathology in a placental-induced brain injury model in neonates: A pilot study Keywords: brain injury; cooling; hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy; neurodevelopment; placental reprogramming; Xenon EN brain injury cooling hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy neurodevelopment placental reprogramming Xenon 119 122 4 12/21/20 20210101 NES 210101 Improved obstetric and neonatal care have reduced the prevalence of severe hypoxic-ischaemic-encephalopathy (HIE). Treating the placenta to prevent adverse effects of gestational hypoxia on fetal brain development. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a study which aims to determine the accumulation of cortical hyperphosphorylated neurofilaments in neuronal perikarya in demyelinated MS cortex. Antibody to hyperphosphorylated neurofilament-H (SMI-34) was used in the study to assess the distribution and relationship of neurofilament phosphorylation to cortical demyelination. Results confirmed the association of MS with the widespread accumulation of hyperphosphorylated neurofilament protein in cortical demyelination.

This article reports a two-day interview which took place in May, 2000 with Helen Bonny, creator of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). The focus of the interview was to explore how Helen chose the recorded music for her 18 original music programs. In the interview Helen talks about various factors that may have influenced her musical choices, such as musical elements, musical preferences, expressive qualities of the music, and her background. Dr. Bonny also reviews the process by which she built each music program and what she considered to be ‘the heart of the program.’ [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this descriptive study was to: (a) examine the relationship between the construct, Type of Music Therapy Degree, and 5 other constructs: Job Satisfaction, Job Longevity, Level of Promotion, Job Responsibilities, and Geographical Location; and (b) explore the interrelationships among the 5 constructs other than Type of Music Therapy Degree. Questionnaires were mailed to 616 clinical music therapists. The response rate was 35% (N = 218). Ten variables defining the 6 constructs were examined for statistically significant and meaningful relationships: highest music therapy degree achieved, average job satisfaction rating, length of time as a music therapist, length of time in present job, average length of time in jobs, total number of jobs, total number of promotions across jobs, number of present duties, number of hours presently working, and region in which work. Results indicated that a significant relationship existed between highest music therapy degree achieved and 3 variables: length of time as a music therapist, total number of jobs, and region in which work. Follow-up comparisons revealed that those respondents with a Doctoral Degree had been employed at significantly more jobs than those with a Bachelor's degree. Also, those with a Master's degree in music therapy had stayed significantly longer in the field than those with a Bachelor's degree in music therapy. A follow-up analysis with the third variable, region in which work, indicated that the highest proportion of respondents in each region had obtained a Bachelor's degree in music therapy. Of the 8 significant relationships obtained among the other 9 variables, 4 variables defining the construct Job Longevity appeared to play a central role in the relationships among the variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if the influence of musical cues could benefit individuals with aphasia in their ability to recall previously-learned song lyrics. The relationship between the subjects' speech production and their age, length of time since onset of injury, type of speech disorder, and severity of speech disorder was also examined. Twelve subjects who had been diagnosed with unilateral left hemisphere cerebrovascular accidents and aphasia participated in the study. A repeated-measures design was used to examine the difference in speech production between three experimental conditions: verbal production only, verbal production with rhythm, and verbal production with melody. The subjects' speech samples were analyzed according to the following variables: speech content, error types, and number of intelligible words, per minute. An analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between conditions in the subjects' speech content or error types. However, a significant difference in verbal intelligibility was found between conditions, with the verbal condition having the highest intelligibility (p = .02). A significant relationship was discovered between the subjects' severity of speech disorder and meaningful speech content (p = .003), percentage of jargon (p = .008) and intelilgibility (p = .005), as well as a significant relationship between the subjects' age and speech content (p=.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of singing instruction and rhythmic instruction on the rate of speech and verbal intelligibility of neurologically impaired persons and to ascertain the influence of age, premorbid musical experience, and type of neurological impairment upon the subject's speech production. The subjects were 32 patients with neurogenic communication disorders who were residents of a chronic care facility. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the rhythm instruction group (n = 9), the singing instruction group (n = 9) and the control group (n = 14). A repeated-measures, factorial design was implemented to compare speech performance between the three groups. The treatment groups met twice a week, 30 minutes per session, for a total of 9 weeks. The results of a one-way analysis of variance and analysis of covariance indicated significant differences between groups in verbal intelligibility, with the singing group making the most progress (F = 4.99, p = .014). Although there were not significant differences in speech rate between groups, both treatment groups improved over the course of the study while the control group maintained their previous rate of speech. A multiple regression analysis revealed that, while premorbid musical experience was not a significant factor, the treatment subjects' age range (t = 2.96, p = .005) and type of neurological impairment (t=2.69, p = .009) were significant predictors of speech performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of singing instruction upon the speech production of eight neurologically impaired adults with expressive speech disorders. A series of single case studies, each using a repeated measures design, was implemented to determine if the application of singing instruction would change the speaking fundamental frequency or improve the speaking fundamental frequency variability, vocal intensity, rate of speech or verbal intelligibility of the subjects. Pretest, probe, and posttest speech samples were obtained from each subject. Six subjects received the singing instruction three times a week, 30 minutes a session, for 3 consecutive weeks. To provide comparison, two control subjects were administered the pretest, probe sample, and posttest measures without the singing instruction. An examination of the data revealed that 67% of the treatment subjects made improvements in speaking fundamental frequency variability, rate of speech, and verbal intelligibility, while the two control subjects did not consistently improve in any of the speech variables. The speaking fundamental frequency of the subjects did not appear to be influenced by the singing instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music therapy has been used increasingly in neuropsychological rehabilitation. However, the majority of literature written about music therapy and brain-trauma clients discusses those clients with left-hemispheric complications. This study explores the implementation of rhythm to decrease the rate of speech in an 1 8-year-old adolescent with right-hemispheric injuries and Kluver-Bucy Syndrome. A reversal design (ABA- CAC) was implemented to determine whether rhythm could be used effectively as a monitoring device to slow down the subject's excessively fast rate of speech. The data demonstrated an 11% decrease in rate of speech from the original baseilne when melody and rhythm were employed. The use of a rhythmic variable without melody caused a 28% decrease in speech rate from the original baseline. Posttest in formation reinforced the conclusion that a generalization of skills had occurred. The study recommended further exploration of the application of rhythm with right-brain injured clients as an effective system to treat dysfunctions in speech rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Axonal loss and grey matter neuronal injury are pathological processes that contribute to disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Axon damage has been associated with changes in the phosphorylation state of neurofilaments and the presence of axonal spheroids. Perikaryal accumulation of abnormally phosphorylated neurofilament proteins has been reported in some neurodegenerative diseases., Objectives: The objective of this article is to determine whether abnormally phosphorylated neurofilament accumulates in neuronal perikarya in demyelinated MS cortex., Methods: We used an antibody to hyperphosphorylated neurofilament-H (SMI-34) to assess the level and distribution of this antigen in paraffin sections of cerebral cortex from cases of neuropathologically confirmed MS and controls. We also examined the relationship of neurofilament phosphorylation to cortical demyelination., Results: The number of SMI-34-positive neuronal somata was significantly higher in the MS cortex than the control cortex. As a proportion of the total number of neurons present (i.e. taking account of neuronal loss), the proportion of SMI-34-positive neurons was also significantly higher in the demyelinated and non-demyelinated MS cortex than the control cortex., Conclusions: MS is associated with the widespread accumulation of hyperphosphorylated neurofilament protein in neuronal somata, with the most marked accumulation in regions of cortical demyelination. This aberrant localisation of hyperphosphorylated neurofilament protein may contribute to neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in MS patients.