The impact of culturally informed music therapy on visually impaired youth: A Jaffna, Sri Lanka study

Music plays a vital role in human culture and development, offering therapeutic benefits that can enhance cognitive and emotional well-being. This is particularly significant for visually impaired individuals who may face unique challenges in these areas. Previous studies have established the benefits of music interventions in improving executive functions in the visually impaired community. We assessed the impact of music therapy interventions on the executive functions and emotional well-being of visually impaired youth residing in a home for the visually impaired in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Utilizing a quantitative research design, our study systematically assesses working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive function through standardized assessments while considering the significance of using cultural music for the therapy. To evaluate the role of cultural alignment in music therapy, the study was divided into two arms: one utilizing Tamil Carnatic music and the other utilizing Western classical music. These groups were chosen to compare the effects of culturally relevant music therapy against a more universally recognized form of music therapy. Our findings reveal statistically significant enhancements in working memory, inhibitory control, and emotional well-being within both the Tamil Carnatic and Western classical music therapy groups. Subsequently, an intergroup analysis, which compared the improvements in working memory, inhibitory control, and emotional well-being between the two groups, emphasizes the influence of cultural alignment. Our study underscores the importance of culturally relevant curricula in music therapy for visually impaired individuals, thus emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and the potential benefit of increasing musical presence in the lives of the visually impaired community.