Simpson 1

Matthew Simpson
Mrs.DeBock
English IV
17 March 2016
Essential Question- How does music affect the retired elderly?
Working Thesis Statement- Music can positively affect the retired elderly.
Refined Thesis Statement- Music can brighten retired peoples lives even for a moment.
Grocke, D. et al Group Music Therapy for Severe Mental Illness: a Randomized
Embedded Experimental Mixed Methods Study. Acta Psychiatrica
Scandinavica 130.2 (2014): 144-153. Academic Search Complete.
Web 14 March 2016
This article tells about a group of researchers who conducted a study on retired elderly to
see if music can positively affect the patients. In the study the researchers held a clinic in which
the patients would sing and write music of various and differing emotions to see how the patients
would react. After the experiment the researchers posted their results of if the patients
experienced any increase in their quality of life, self-esteem, social support, spirituality, and or
global severity. With their results the researchers concluded that the clinic and study was a
complete success. I chose this article for its extensive and well conducted study and interesting
subjects the researchers tested.
Im, Mi Lim and Jeong In Lee. Effects of Art and Music Therapy on Depression and
Cognitive Function of The Elderly. Technology and Health Care 22.3
(2014): 453-458. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 March, 2016.

Simpson 2

In this article two Music Therapists from Korea conducted a study to try to quell the
overcrowding population of depressed people. Similar to the previous study the Therapists
conducted a clinic where a selected group of volunteers would come in to perform and sing with
the Therapists to see if music was able to cure them of their depression. After the study was
conducted the two Therapists concluded that the study and clinic was a huge success in cleansing
the depression from the patients. I chose this article because of its fascinating information
regarding Korea and for its interesting study conducted.

Sacks, Oliver. Musicophilia: Tales of Music and The Brain. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf, 2007. Print.
In Sacks book he recollects on experiences of the mentally ill and how music was able to
cure them of their illness. In his first story he tells of a person suffering from Parkinson's disease
and how music was able to help him, by the patient walking to the beat and rhythm of the song
he was listening to. In his second story he tells about a man suffering from aphasia in which
speech therapists regarded the man as hopeless until one day the man was overheard by the
music therapist singing the song Ol Man River and with extensive help the man was able to
regain his voice through music. I chose this book for its extremely interesting tales of mentally
ill patients experience what seem to be miracles granted by God.