Let the Drums do the Talking: Music Therapy for an 11-year-old Girl with Medulloblastoma
Karen Twyford1, Louise Miles1
1Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
Abstract
Paediatric brain tumours can have a significant impact on a child’s health, function, and wellbeing. Patients with a neuro-oncology diagnosis are admitted across hospital departments as part of their treatment journey and may have high support needs regarding their rehabilitation related to their post-surgical brain injury. As such, there is a need for allied health teams to coordinate care across different departments. Music therapy, as part of paediatric allied health services, is an accessible and effective intervention to support the functional and psychosocial needs of children who are undergoing cancer treatment. Research validates the use of music to manage symptoms, support development, improve coping, and provide family support. Music therapists incorporate a range of music-making methods, within and through a therapeutic relationship to address patient goals. Family and patient experience is a critical component of goal formulation in music therapy, and goals are often flexible to incorporate both intensive rehabilitation, and, support wellbeing and quality of life, in response to the child’s changing presentation. This paper will explore the collaborative approach utilised by two music therapists working across oncology and neurorehabilitation caseloads with an 11-year-old girl with medulloblastoma undergoing prolonged treatment and rehabilitation within a tertiary hospital setting. The role of music therapy within neuro-oncology will be considered within the context of the wider multidisciplinary team. Working examples of music therapy interventions will be shared as well as communication and handover strategies employed to highlight the benefits of active music therapy for paediatric oncology patients.
Biography
Karen is a Registered Music Therapist working at Perth Children’s Hospital, predominantly within paediatric neurorehabilitation, and also in private practice. Karen’s extensive clinical experience has involved work in Child and Adolescent Health Services (CAHS), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), as well as education and community sectors in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Karen has completed training in clinical supervision and advanced Neurologic Music Therapy techniques. She is a current PhD candidate at UWA, where the focus of her research is investigating the impact of music therapy on functional outcomes for children and adolescents following an acquired brain injury across the rehabilitation spectrum.
Louise has been a Registered Music Therapist for 20+ years working across a range of clinical practice areas. For the last 18 years, she has been the Redkite Music Therapist for the Oncology and Haematology Service at Perth Children’s Hospital working with infants, children and adolescents across their treatment trajectory. In 2020, Louise also completed a Masters in Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, including a minor thesis on the experience of RMTs working with infants.