Yoik in Sami elderly and dementia care – a potential for culturally sensitive music therapy?
Author(s):
Soile Hämäläinen
Anita Salamonsen
Grete Mehus
Henrik Schirmer
Ola Graff
Frauke Musial
Publication Year:
2021
Type:
journal article
Journal/Book Title
Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
Publisher
Editor(s):
Pages:
404-423
Volume:
30
Issue:
5
Abstract:
Introduction: The positive impact of familiar, individualized and patient-preferred music in dementia care is acknowledged in the literature. However, traditional indigenous music practices in care contexts are less studied. This study focuses on yoik, a traditional vocal music of the indigenous Sami people of Fennoscandia. The aims of this exploratory study were to investigate key participants’ experi ences with yoik in care settings, as well as their thoughts with regard to a future study of yoik as a non-pharmacological intervention in Sami elderly and dementia care. Method: Qualitative in-person in-depth interviews with close relatives of persons in need of care, as well as healthcare professionals were analysed using qualita tive content analysis. Results: The participants shared that they had observed positive effects whenever yoik was applied in Sami elderly and dementia care, even in persons without a known yoik familiarity. No unwanted effects were reported. The participants supported the idea of a possible clinical investigation of yoik as culturally sensi tive music therapy in the future. They recommended that yoik should be imple mented on a regular basis in Sami elderly and dementia care. Conclusion: The participants agreed that yoik has potential as a nonpharmacological intervention in Sami elderly and dementia care, and that further investigation is warranted.
Citation (Chicago Author-Date):
Hämäläinen, Soile, Anita Salamonsen, Grete Mehus, Henrik Schirmer, Ola Graff, and Frauke Musial. 2021. “Yoik in Sami Elderly and Dementia Care – a Potential for Culturally Sensitive Music Therapy?” Nordic Journal of Music Therapy 30 (5): 404–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2020.1849364.