Which of the following is true about the Online Group Music Therapy Study (Finnerty et al. 2023)?

Which of the following is true about the Online Group Music Therapy Study (Finnerty et al. 2023)?

• A. Only receptive interventions were offered.
• B. There was a greater reduction in stress and anxiety in the music therapy group.
• C. None of the above statements are true.
• D. There was an increase in cortisol

Answer: (C)

Interpreting this item is about checking whether the described design and outcomes truly match what the study reported. In Finnerty et al. 2023, the online group music therapy study did not hinge on a single approach described as only receptive interventions, and its results did not present a clear, definitive claim of a greater reduction in stress and anxiety for the music therapy group, nor did it report an increase in cortisol as a routine finding. Because none of those exact statements accurately reflect the study’s reported methods or outcomes, the option “none of the above” best captures what the study actually showed. When evaluating studies like this, look for the specifics of what interventions were used (receptive versus participatory elements), what outcomes were measured (which scales for stress or anxiety, and any biological markers like cortisol), and whether the reported changes were statistically significant.

Interpreting this item is about checking whether the described design and outcomes truly match what the study reported. In Finnerty et al. 2023, the online group music therapy study did not hinge on a single approach described as only receptive interventions, and its results did not present a clear, definitive claim of a greater reduction in stress and anxiety for the music therapy group, nor did it report an increase in cortisol as a routine finding. Because none of those exact statements accurately reflect the study’s reported methods or outcomes, the option “none of the above” best captures what the study actually showed. When evaluating studies like this, look for the specifics of what interventions were used (receptive versus participatory elements), what outcomes were measured (which scales for stress or anxiety, and any biological markers like cortisol), and whether the reported changes were statistically significant.