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Use of music during physical therapy intervention for an infant with Erb's palsy: a single-subject design
Mary Rahlin1, Donna Cech, Wendy Rheault
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA. Mary.Rahlin@rosalindfranklin.edu
Insights
Music may enhance pediatric physical therapy by reducing infant crying and increasing parent satisfaction. This intervention shows potential for improving patient progress in infants with Erb
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Infant Development
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on music's role in pediatric physical therapy.
- Erb's palsy presents challenges in infant motor development and therapy engagement.
Observation:
- A single-subject design evaluated music's impact on an infant with Erb's palsy.
- Key metrics included patient progress (T.I.M.E.), crying duration, and parent satisfaction.
Findings:
- Music intervention correlated with improved progress on 3/5 T.I.M.E. subtests.
- Crying decreased, and parent satisfaction increased during music therapy sessions.
- The A-B-A withdrawal design demonstrated music's positive influence.
Implications:
- Music may be a valuable adjunct in pediatric physical therapy.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to generalize findings.
- Music can potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes and patient experience.
Abstract:
Evidence supporting the use of music during pediatric physical therapy intervention is limited. The purpose of this single-subject design was to evaluate the effects of music on patient progress, the amount of crying during therapy, and parent satisfaction with physical therapy services. The subject was an infant girl with Erb's palsy who participated in this study from age 8 months to age 20 months. An A-B-A withdrawal single-subject design was used. The patient's progress was assessed by using the T.I.M.E. The amount of crying was documented in the Crying Log. A parent satisfaction questionnaire was administered three times over the course of the study. The subject's progress in the music intervention period increased on three of five primary subtests of the T.I.M.E. The amount of crying decreased and parent satisfaction increased when music was played during therapy. Music may be used by pediatric physical therapists to decrease the patient's crying, increase parent satisfaction, and possibly to increase the child's rate of progress. Further research conducted with a group of infants and toddlers may help generalize these findings to a wider patient population.
