THE CONNECTION SPHERE

Method

            This study will incorporate a two-step method that will investigate the extent to the effect of live instrumental music on the sense of loneliness among those residing in Las Vegas Rehabilitation centers. The first component consists of the live performance of the music along with a one month spam. There are a total of two music listening sessions that will be conducted in a period of one month. The second component consists of a survey that will assess the change in loneliness through a variety of factors. The survey will be conducted after each music listening session and the results will be determined by the difference in responses between the survey conducted from the first music session and the survey conducted from the second session. The surveys will be all conducted verbally in order to provide more accurate results as some participants may experience reading, visual or writing difficulties. Ensuring that the survey is handled orally, will allow for the results to be more accurate. This method will ensure a more direct and personal understanding of how live music listening can influence the loneliness of rehab center residents.

            Participants for this study include residents who reside in these long-term rehab centers in Las Vegas. The typical demographics for these individuals include, elderly and economically challenged individuals. The study aims to survey around 10-20 residents who voluntarily agree to participate in the live music session. Participants will be informed that the verbal survey part of the study is optional and they will be reminded of their right to not disclose any answers to these questions. Participants will be asked to show up to both of the music sessions in order to gain data detailing the change in their survey responses. Participant’s names will not be recorded, instead, participants' descriptions such as age, gender and specific assistive technology.

            The verbal survey will be conducted by I, the researcher myself and each survey will take a maximum of 10 minutes to complete. The survey includes 3 questions that I collected from the UCLA loneliness scale questionnaire, that are aimed to close in on the factors that are associated with loneliness and the total score of these questions will be used to determine the sense of loneliness of these residents. The UCLA loneliness scale questions consists of:

       1. How often do you feel the lack of companionship

            3.often   2.sometimes   1.Hardly ever

       2. How often do you feel isolated from others

            3.often   2.sometimes   1. Hardly ever

       3. How often do you feel left out

            3.often   2.sometimes   1.Hardly ever

            I decided to use the UCLA loneliness scale questions for my method to keep my surveys minimal and time efficient for the patients. Additionally, this specific scale aims on focusing on the key factors that lead to loneliness such as lack of companionship and isolation, which is relevant to the goal of my methodology. With this, the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale has already been well established and validated which allows for more reliable and accurate data. As the UCLA scale has already been tested amongst a variety of demographics, including elderly populations, which made it relevant for my research method, as the population for my participants is mostly in the elderly category. 

            Based on the answer choice that the residents give out. Their overall total score will be determined by adding up the numbers that correspond with their answers. Overall scores that equal to the range of 6-9 will be considered lonely, and participants who score a number below 6 will be considered not lonely. This method provides an effective approach because it is not over complicated and simple enough for the patients of the rehab center to answer. A simpler approach to the surveys will assure a more variety of the rehab center patients will be able to participate in the survey and will increase the willingness of the rehab patients in participating in the survey. The response scale questions allow for easy comparison between the 1st session and 2nd session responses and will allow for a more efficient way to calculate the difference in responses from the 1st and 2nd surveys.

            During the process of my methodology, patients of the rehab center that are actively listening to the live music will have gained a valuable experience. As music offers a lot of different benefits to a person's mind and body, it is important to provide the patients of these rehab centers with the opportunity to engage and be in an environment with music. By bringing this experience directly to a rehab center, the study aimed at finding the effectiveness of live music on loneliness can also serve as a meaningful experience for the patients.

            To add on, my methodology successfully secures my research gap as live instrumental music has been a void of research in its effects of impacting loneliness. While there has been much research and data on the effects of other music therapeutic intervention, the specific dynamic between live instrumental music and sense of loneliness has not been researched.

            This method ensures an ethical approach and guarantees the participants well being and privacy. Consent from the participants and the rehab center administration will be obtained before starting the study. Participants will be informed of the process of the survey and will be told their right to withdraw from the verbal survey. Participants are also guaranteed their freedom to leave and join the listening session while it's ongoing. The data collected from their survey responses will not expose individuals names and personal information. All collected data will only be used for research purposes and for the sake of finding the effects of this specific approach to combating loneliness.