Main focus and projects: - Mindfulness-based music therapy with a thematic focus on receptive music therapy with psychiatric patients in clinical settings. - Psychophysiological correlations through heart rate variability measurement and mindfulness surveys
Music is about experiencing and perceiving, which is why practical research work is close to my heart.
In active reciprocity and interactive engagement with various other fields of science, I explore new concepts, conduct clinical studies in a music-medicine context, and contribute my many years of clinical experience.
Mindfulness-based receptive music therapy for people with depression. A randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate heart rate variability and mindfulness. In M. Glawischnig- Goschnik & Christian Münzberg (eds.). Art and knowledge of music therapy. Conference Graz 2021 (pp. 89-122). Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag
Schäfer, A. (2023). With sounds to happiness. The Styrian. July/August 2023 issue, p. 148. Available at https://issuu.com/magazinring/docs/steirerin_2023-06-
Gaebel, C., Jarczokc, M. N., Schäfer, A., Schleicher, A., Warth, M. & Ditzen, B. (2023) Music therapy - a matter of the heart? Psychotherapy 68, 246-254 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00278-023-00660-y
Schäfer, A., Weymann, E., Moser, M., Grote, V., Frühwirth, M. (2020). Mindfulness–based music therapy for people with depression. A pilot randomized controlled trial to evaluate the heart rate variability and mindfulness. Journal of Music Therapy. (in preparation)
Schäfer, A. (2022). "Making Depression Fade Away." Issue 01/2022. the Pragmaticus. Liechtenstein: Pragmaticus Verlag AG. Available at: https://www.derpragmaticus.com/r/musiktherapie-depression
Schäfer, A. (2022). "Receptive Music Therapy In People With Depression. Presentation of results from an ongoing study." In C. Münzberg & M. Glawischnig (Eds.). Graz anniversary conference music therapy 2021 Wiesbaden: Reichert.
Schäfer, A. (2022). "Mindfulness-Based Receptive Music Therapy In People With Depression. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate heart rate variability and mindfulness in depressed patients." Inaugural dissertation, Hamburg. Available at: https://ediss.sub.uni-hamburg.de/handle/ediss/9647
Schäfer, A., Weymann, E., Moser, M., Grote, V., Frühwirth, M. (2020). "Mindfulness-Based Music Therapy In People With Depression." 16th World Congress of Music Therapy, Today WFMT online journal Special Issue Proceedings 16, 126-128. Available at: https://issuu.com/presidentwfmt/docs/mtt._vol._16._n__1
Schäfer, A. (2019). "Affective Disorders And Music Therapy." In H.U. Schmidt, T. Stegemann & C. Spitzer (Eds.) Music Therapy For Mental And Psychosomatic Disorders (pp. 145-150). Munich: Urban & Fischer/Elsevier
In a previous dissertation project, the effectiveness of receptive music therapy with monochord and voice in depressive patients (n=40) was investigated in a randomized intervention study. This applied musical manual is now to be further developed in a new interdisciplinary collaborative project. An explorative approach The original composition of monochord and voice is to be retained as the basis of therapeutic effectiveness. The aim of this work is to further develop the musical play of monochord and voice with artists in the field of sound and multimedia design.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Barmherzige Brüder, Graz in cooperation with the Human Research Institute, Weiz, the Medical University of Graz and the University of Music and Theatre, Hamburg Project management: Anja Schäfer MAS Cooperation with Univ. Prof. Dr. Maximilian Moser, Prof. Dr. Eckhard Weymann, PhD Dr. Mag. Vincent Grote, DI Matthias Frühwirth
Implementation of music therapy in medicine. Cooperation project with the University Augsburg and the University Hospital Augsburg Cooperation with Dr. Phillip Hepp, Prof. Dr. Susanne Metzner
I enjoy giving lectures. The ideal I have for talks is that students and listeners are involved, contribute their expertise, and we create a lively exchange.