The Experience of Vibroacoustic Therapy with Adolescent Girls

A qualitative approach was used to study the therapeutic intervention based on vibroacoustic therapy (treatment method based on the combined effect of music and low frequency sound vibrations), to which other methods (mood assessment, drawing) had been added according to the therapy plan. The participants were ten girls aged 15-18 with heightened anxiety combined with low self-esteem and/or body image problems. The principles of grounded theory were used to study the experience of the girls and the outcome of the intervention. Three categories describing the meaning of the therapy process emerged in the girls’ interviews: “balancing self-discovery,” “tension release,” and “interesting and beneficial experience.” Vibroacoustic therapy can be considered as an important therapy component useful for enhancing coping ability through fulfilling the bodily needs for relaxation, improving self-knowledge through physical selfawareness, and giving peaceful time for reflection.

Keywords: adolescent girls, vibroacoustic therapy, music, drawing, grounded theory

Rüütel, E., Ratnik, M., Tamm, E., & Zilensk, H. (2004). The experience of vibroacoustic therapy in the therapeutic intervention of adolescent girls. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 13(1), 33-46. doi:10.1080/08098130409478096