Participatory Music Program for Homeless Veterans

This pilot project evaluates the effectiveness of a participatory music program for Veterans cared for in the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans (DCHV) Program (Indianapolis, IN) in terms of improving quality of life. A secondary goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of the participatory music program on community reintegration and healthcare utilization. The participatory music program entitled the "Crossroads Orchestra" includes both music education and an orchestra experience. The objective of this intervention program is to use an engaging music-based education and group orchestra experience to provide participants with an avocation that will improve their quality of life and facilitate their reintegration into the community. The Crossroads Orchestra pilot project protocol has been grounded on concepts from occupational therapy and recreational therapy; specifically, providing participants with a meaningful new activity that is enjoyable, that can be provided across a spectrum of skill levels (e.g., for participants with no musical training as well as for individuals who are proficient strings musicians), and that can provide participants with a new sense of self.

SPECIFIC AIMS:

Aim 1: To evaluate the effectiveness of the participatory music program in terms of improving quality of life.

Aim 2: To evaluate the effect of the participatory music program on community reintegration. Veteran members of the Crossroads Orchestra program may develop a sense of participating in something that "is bigger than oneself." They may develop a new sense of self, or identify with a new role. They may develop a sense of commitment to their stand-partner. These positive new perspectives may facilitate their transition from the Domiciliary to the community. Semi-structured interviews with participants will be conducted to understand participants' experiences to both improve the program and to assess its effects. The Military to Civilian Questionnaire (M2C-Q) measure will be used to assess community reintegration.

Secondary Aim: To evaluate the effect of the participatory music program on healthcare utilization. This pilot project is not powered to identify statistically significant differences in healthcare utilization but rather is designed to provide preliminary data to understand the potential role of a music education and orchestra participation experience for improving outcomes among Veteran participants.

INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION:

The intervention is a participatory music program where adults engage in music-making as members of a strings orchestra. As part of the Crossroads Orchestra, participants will receive an instrument (violin, viola, or cello). The intervention sessions will take place twice a week at the Domiciliary and once per week at either the Domiciliary or other Indianapolis community location. Each session will include: thirty minutes of group music instruction by an experienced music educator with skills in adult music education followed by thirty minutes of weekly adult ensemble experience. The choice of music pieces will be made by the interventionist in consultation with participants (to ensure that the choices represent selections that are most engaging for the majority of participants). The participants will be given a binder with sheet music and practice logs. The music educator will create Youtube videos demonstrating violin, viola, and cello techniques and providing helpful tips. Participants will be encouraged to practice and to attend all of the group sessions.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Residents of the Indianapolis VA Domiciliary who are eligible to participate in elective activities (i.e., they have been Domiciliary residents for a minimum of two weeks and they have not committed any infractions that would place them on restriction status)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Visual impairment (blindness)
* Profound hearing impairment (deafness)
* Cognitive impairment