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Strathmartine Hospital

Clinical Experiences

Type of Facility:    MR/DD Hospital Facility
Patient Population using the Somatron: Individuals with Learning disabilities
Date of Reported Experiences:
Primary Findings:  Responses of individuals with learning disabilities to the Somatron Sound Lounge vary.
Music Used:     Opening 10-15 minutes of "Antarctica" by Vangelis
Contact Information:   Jeff Hooper, Senior Music Therapist
                                      Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust
                                      Strathmartine Hospital
                                      Dundee, Scotland

Music Therapist, Jeff Hooper, used a Somatron Sound Lounge with learning disabled clients enrolled in the Music Therapy Program at Strathmartine Hospital, in Dundee, Scotland. The aim of using the Somatron was to see how effective it was in dealing with anxiety experienced by these clients as well as to compare it to other musical interventions. He developed a special treatment program consisting of 8 weekly sessions that gradually introduced the Somatron to his clients.   The experiences of two clients were reported as examples of the use of the Somatron equipment in this setting in an article included in the book “Music Vibration” (Edited by Tony Wigram and Cheryl Dileo).

Client 1 responded very positively to the experience and was reported as being more relaxed during the Somatron sessions than other non-Somatron music sessions.

Client 2 however, did not respond positively to the experience, refusing to lie down on the Somatron.

Mr. Hooper reported that it was difficult for some clients to position themselves on the particular model of the Somatron with ease. In addition, he reported that some clients refused to lie down on the Somatron reporting that they “did not want to go to bed in the afternoon”, and noted that going to bed is often associated with a “time out” situation. The Somatron may, therefore, have been viewed negatively by some of the clients before they had the opportunity to experience its effects.