Understanding the effectiveness of applying Music Therapy as a treatment to improve the mood and emotional control of abused women is the objective of the master’s thesis by María José Gutiérrez Rasa, a student of ISEP’s Master’s in Music Therapy.
Under the premise of conducting the most in-depth study possible on the influence music has in achieving positive changes in the mood, emotional, and cognitive states of a group of women who are victims of abuse, her study consisted of applying Schapira’s Plurimodal Approach music therapy model, specifically using improvisation, songs, and edited music (conveniently chosen for this situation) with women living in Casa Malva in Gijón, a reference center for comprehensive care for victims of gender violence.
And, although the results cannot be considered conclusive, the notable mood improvement verbalized by the women and ratified through evaluation surveys allowed our student to conclude that the beneficial effects of Music Therapy in this context are a value to consider for future research projects.
According to its author, “music used intentionally has more influence and power than words. And it is much more useful than other verbal therapies when it comes to accessing sensitive groups, psychologically damaged and with few resources available to them.”
Consult the full work Applied Music Therapy in Gender Violence