Browsing by Author "Vinberg, Martta"

Aims. The aim of this study was to find out how speech and language pathologists use musical methods in speech therapy in Finland. The purpose of the survey was to gather experiences and opinions about this subject. The data was collected in spring 2016. Methods. The survey was made with web-based survey-tool provided by Helsinki University. It was sent to 1209 members of Finnish association of Speech Therapists. The questionnaire was answered by 122 responders (response rate was 10%). There were 25 questions in the survey, with open, closed and combined question types. Open questions were analysed with qualitative methods: answers were categorized and sorted into themes. Closed questions were analysed by quantitative methods by calculating means and frequencies with SPSS-program. Combined questions types were analysed with both methods. Results and conclusions. The responders who had direct speech therapy as part of their job description (N=112) did use diverse musical methods as part of the therapy, but the amount of utilization varied considerably. The methods were used all around Finland, by therapists from different kind of backgrounds concerning the age and the graduate university. Musical methods were used in many patient groups. According to the answers, these methods were especially important if the patient didn't have any kind of speaking ability to use. The most common musical method mentioned was MIT (melodic intonation therapy) which was used by 32% of the responders who did direct speech therapy. The MIT was also the most popular method from which responders would like to have more education of. In the whole sample (N=122), musical methods were used widely in the part of so called indirect or consultative speech therapy, meaning that the speech and language therapists gave recommendations of using music as part of the rehabilitation process at homes, during day care and in the rehabilitation centres. Some responders utilized musical methods also as part of the speech-language assessments. In addition, based on answers the collaboration between speech therapists and music therapists is almost non-existent in Finland. Collaboration with music therapists was hoped. Many responders were interested in the practical education of this subject.