Music and the Effect it has on the Motor Learning of a Serial Task in Children, Ages Seven and Eight

Author

Karen L. Kurncz, Grand Valley State University
Tara K. Nielsen, Grand Valley State University

Date Approved

1998

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: To study the hypothesis that music will improve the motor learning of a serial task in seven and eight year old children.

Design: Acquisition - Retention Design

Intervention: The twenty-one subjects were randomly divided into two conditional groups, those who received musical intervention and those who did not. Each subject performed the serial task eleven times during the acquisition session. During the acquisition session, the only difference between the groups was the addition of music to the verbal cues in the experimental group. Approximately twenty-four hours later, each subject returned for a retention session to assess the motor learning that occurred. During the retention session, the subjects were asked to perform the serial task one time without music, verbal cues, or videotape demonstration.

Results: No statistically significant results were found between the two conditional groups, secondary to a ceiling effect that occurred with the subjects’ scores.

Comments

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ScholarWorks Citation

Kurncz, Karen L. and Nielsen, Tara K., "Music and the Effect it has on the Motor Learning of a Serial Task in Children, Ages Seven and Eight" (1998). Masters Theses. 410.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/410