Video analysis of music therapy interaction for children experiencing neurodevelopment delay

Children experiencing neurodevelopmental delay have motor, linguistic, and cognitive problems that affect their skills in various domains, especially interpersonal ones. Since music therapy is based on musical exchange, these three case studies explore how child–music therapists’ interactions change within and between sessions. Moreover, we evaluated whether the children’s and parents’ musical interaction changed in everyday life. Three children experiencing neurodevelopmental delay participated in 70 psychodynamic music therapy sessions, relying primarily on musical improvisation techniques. The initial (i.e. pre-test) and final sessions (i.e. post-test) were video recorded and codified with the Kategoriensystem Musik Therapie (KAMUTHE) in the 10th and 30th minutes. Videos were analyzed using the Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS). In addition, parents completed the Music in Everyday Life (MEL) Scale to evaluate how they experienced musical activities with their children. Reliable Change Indexes (RCIs) were calculated to assess significant changes in everyday musical activities. Based on video analysis, three children were more active at the 30th minute and the post-test, while Music Therapists stimulated them less. In addition, therapists adapted the activities and stimuli based on the children’s responses. Based on RCIs, parents reported an increased musical engagement with two children. Music therapy might help children experiencing neurodevelopmental delays modify their interaction style and improve motor and interpersonal skills.