Relaxation Music (RM), Mindfulness Meditation (MM) and Relaxation Techniques (RTs) in healthcare: A qualitative case study of practices in the UK and South Korea

Hyang Hwang, Mi; Bunt, Leslie

Abstract

Relaxation Music (RM), Mindfulness Meditation (MM) and Relaxation Techniques (RTs) are widely used in healthcare contexts and these interventions have been investigated for integrated healthcare, psychotherapy treatment and collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches. However, the information exchange between healthcare practitioners in the UK and South Korea has so far been limited and cross-cultural comparisons of RM, MM and RTs within the healthcare context of the UK and Korea have previously been unexplored. The aim of this paper is to present a summary of the key aspects from an unpublished PhD study (Hwang, 2018). The focus of this paper is to explore the similarities and differences in understanding the use of RM, MM and RTs between practitioners in the UK and Korea. Qualitative case study methodology was used and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six Korean and six UK healthcare practitioners in three professional areas: medical practice, meditation, and music therapy. Similarities (in outlooks and purposes, methods, interests and concerns, responses and approaches) and differences (in historical and traditional influences, behavioural patterns and particular emphases) were identified. The value of cross-cultural and multidisciplinary research is increasingly recognised and the use of RM, MM and RTs as mind-body-spirit interventions are considered to be useful integrated treatments. This paper contributes to cross-cultural qualitative research between Korea and the UK and integrating theory and practice with respect to RM, MM and RTs.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 20, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 22, 2020
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Deposit Date: Sep 10, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 17, 2020
• Journal: Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy
• Electronic ISSN: 2459-3338
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: a20200822
• Keywords: Relaxation Music; Mindfulness Meditation; Relaxation Techniques; Healthcare; UK and South Korea cross-cultural research
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6050020
• Publisher URL: https://approaches.gr/hwang-a20200822/
• Additional Information: Leslie Bunt is second author with Dr Mi Hyang Hwang who was awarded a PhD by UWE (Department of Health and Social Sciences).