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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

MUSIC AND ITS THERAPEUTIC ROLES ON THE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE IN OYO STATE: A 

SURVEY OF OLUYOLE CHESIRE HOME, IBADAN 

 

Paul Adebanjo 

BA(ED) Ekiti State University, MA (. ED) University of Lagos 

Email:Pobymusicconcept@gmail.com 

 

Abstract  

Exceptional people suffer various health issues which range from stress relief to mental, emotional, 

and behavioral disorders. These people need effective strategies such as motor skills, 

social/interactive skills, and cognitive skills to support them in their interactions and communication 

with others in society. The study explored the roles of music therapy on the exceptional people of 

Oluyole Cheshire Home in Ibadan. It developed better communication, socially interactive, 

psychomotor, and cognitive skills for clients through the aid of songs accompanied by musical 

instruments to treat clients. It employed a qualitative design method, dividing ten exceptional people 

into two groupsvof five clients each; and these include the mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, 

physically challenged, hearing impaired, and partially sighted. These clients were treated with music. 

The first group was used as the control group; the second group as the experimental group. The 

control group was compared with the experimental group to determine the impacts of music. A 

comprehensive analysis of comparison, personal observation & feedback from questionnaires gathered 

from the respondents were used to ascertain the effect of music on the participants (clients). It was 

discovered that Music, particularly when used as therapy plays significant roles by providing an 

amazing way of captivating the attention of exceptional people and inspiring them on social interactive 

ability, communication skill, psychomotor ability, and cognitive ability. 

Keywords: Cheshire, Clients, Exceptional people, Music therapy 

 

Introduction 

Music has many historical meanings and definitions over the world to sooth types, purposes, and 

circumstances. Music creates moods, feelings, and emotions which spring forth from the human brain. 

It, therefore, has significant therapeutic effects on exceptional people when is used as a treatment. 

The mental analysis of the human brain reveals that music stimulates part of this organ such as food, 

drugs, and sex do (Steve .F June 2006 ,Canadian geographical magazine).  

Hence the paper is concern with  the roles of music therapy on exceptional people. It is therefore 

imperative that this paper begins with a background on a case study to evaluate the impacts of music 

therapy on the exceptional. Thus this study explores the roles of music therapy on the exceptional 

people at Oluyole Chesire Homes in Ibadan. 

 

Brief History of Oluyole Chesire Home 

Oluyole Chesire home comprises a home and a special school for its exceptional people. Oluyole 

Chesire's home Ibadan which is the first home to be established in Nigeria came into being in June 

1959. It was established by the late Justice Sir Adetokunbo Ademola. It was initially situated in a 

rented house at College Crescent, along the then Ijebu bypass which is now known as the Obafemi  

Awolowo Way, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Later in 1968, the home moved to its present location near the 

polytechnic, Ibadan, Sango-Eleyele Road. Oluyole Cheshire Home was established to serve as a home 

away from home. The Home provides in a manner compatible with the ideals of the founder, for care, 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

treatment, education, and maintenance of physically handicapped and mentally retarded persons. 

Since its inception, the home has continued to take care of disabled children, most of who were 

abandoned and found on the streets by social workers and sympathizers and brought to the home. As 

a result of the godly vision and positive influence of the home on the exceptional people in the society, 

it gained support from philanthropists and has expanded to the establishment of other branches 

across a few states in Nigeria. 

 

Exceptional People 

These are people above average or persons who need special educational help because of mental or 

physical challenges. The exceptional people concerned in this study include the Mentally Retarded, 

Emotionally Disturbed, Physically Handicapped, Hearing Impaired, and Partially Sighted. These 

exceptional people need special education services and treatment to improve their health. Special 

education according to the National Policy on Education (1981;20)  is defined as  the education of 

children and adults who have learning difficulties because of different sort of handicaps  such as 

blindness, partial sightedness, hardness or hearing impaired, mental retardation  among others. Some 

of these abnormalities which emanated from   circumstances of birth, inheritances, mental and 

physical health pattern have caused some persons unable to cope with the conventional education. 

The exceptional persons also include specially gifted who are intellectually precious and find 

themselves insufficiently challenged by the program of the normal school and who may take to 

stubbornness and partial resistance to it. 

Herward and Orlansky(1980) defined special education as “ The individually planned and 

systematically monitored arrangement of physical settings and special equipment and materials, 

teaching procedures and other interventions designed to help exceptional children achieve the 

greatest possible self-sufficiency and academic success”. Though music is effective in teaching any 

child, it is of particular value in the training program for retarded children. 

Hurban (1975) asserted that “Because most children love the music they respond quickly to it and 

focus rapt attention on musical activities.” 

  

Statement of The Problem 

Some of the persons who can be relevant in the society are abandoned because of their ailments 

which range from stress relief to mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. The attitudes of 

society at large towards exceptional people especially the disabled according to Kirk (1975) are in 

three categories: 

I. First stage: The disabled were neglected, ridiculed, and even destroyed at birth. 

II. Second: This referred to era of missionaries which is characterized by the active participation 

of Christian bodies and individual philanthropists in the care and education of the disabled. 

III. Three: This is characterized by the active involvement of the Government in the education and 

care of the disabled. Hence this paper provides music as a treatment to these ailments and explores 

the roles of music therapy on exceptional people and if these roles are obtainable. Since music 

therapy had been justified from different historical knowledges, this paper mapped out its evidence 

and effects on exceptional people. 

 

Objectives of The Study 

This paper aims to examine the roles of music therapy on exceptional people as it impact their social 

interactive, communication, psychomotor and cognitive skills. Hence, objectives of the study are to, 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

a. examine the roles of music therapy on the exceptional people; 

 b. examine how exceptional people can respond to music; 

 c. evaluate the effects of music therapy in improving the health challenges of exceptional people; 

and 

      d. suggest music therapy as a treatment that can be used to enhance the attention and 

concentration of exceptional people for classroom activities. 

 

 

Theoretical Framework 

The paper adopted the medical theory of four bodily fluids propounded by Hippocrates (400BC) as 

stated according to  Gouk & Horden (2000) since perfect health is a result of balance among four 

bodily fluids. 

 

Research Questions 

In specific terms the study would be guided by the following questions derived from the objectives: 

a. what are the roles of music therapy in exceptional homes? 

b. what are the behavioral reactions and responses that exceptional people give during and after 

music therapy sessions? 

c. what are the effects that music therapy creates in improving the health issues of exceptional 

people? 

d. how can the use of music therapy enhance the  concentration of exceptional people for classroom 

activities? 

  

Operational Definitions of Terms 

Sekere is a Yoruba traditional musical instrument consisting of a gourd surrounded by a net of the 

bead. It was twisted, shaken, and slapped by two of the clients, to enhance concentration and psycho-

motive ability during the music therapy session. 

Clients to exceptional persons who need treatment. 

Respondents as used in the paper refer to participants in the survey and exceptional persons. 

 

Therapy 

This can generally be defined as a curative treatment of diseases. Mereni (2004) “Therapy comes 

from the Greek word: THERAPIA which means HEALING   in the same sense as treatment of disease 

a curative intervention to heal the sickness or restore health. 

Bram (1847) explained therapy as the “Treatment of disease by various approaches”. It involves the 

management and care of the patient to combat a mental or physical disorder. 

  

Music Therapy 

The American Music Therapy Association (1998-2019) supports music for all and applauded the 

efforts of individuals who share their music-making and time and says the more music the better our 

health. This implies that music improves our health status. However, clinical music therapy is the only 

professional, research-based discipline that actively applies supportive science to the creative, 

emotional, and energizing experiences of music for health treatment and educational goals.  

 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

Mereni (the component in music 2004, p. 1) asserted that the therapy proposed by Juliette Alvin the 

founder of the British Society for music therapy, is that it is the controlled and reasoned use of 

music in the treatment and rehabilitation of those affected by physical, mental and psychic ailments 

of various sorts. He says controllability is one of the principal mark of the scientific process and that 

controllability is one of the major differences between the chance of healing one can gain from a 

musical activity and a music therapy intervention. He remarks further that it is also one of the major 

differences between music therapy as a scientific practice and the traditional music healing practiced 

in various cultures of the world today. From the remarks above, it is deduced that professional music 

therapy is scientific while music healing as it is presently is yet to lend itself to a scientific process. 

It is important to add here that the arts have always been the foundation of science and so within 

the framework of this discourse, the scientific process should be seen to include the humanities and 

the social sciences since the client’s cultural values and social practices are important healing. 

Alvin (1975) pointed that music therapy is the controlled use of music in the treatment, education, 

training, and rehabilitation of individuals with physical, emotional and mental disorder. 

Obidike (1998) work examined the use of music, chants, and associated rituals in bringing about 

healing. Selected songs were notated and translated into English to enhance the readers' appreciation 

of the song texts to be able to have a good idea of their relevance in healing. The Yoruba community 

of western Nigeria was used as a case study. Myths and narratives on the healing power of music are 

numerous in most cultures.  

The tale of Saul and David is one of the earliest histories where music was used as healing. David 

played the harp for King Saul when he was often depressed by an evil spirit as the scripture verse 

stated “And it came to pass when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and 

played with his hand :so Saul was refreshed ,and was well, and the spirit departed from him”(King 

James Bible,1994,1Samuel 16v23”. Thus, we can deduce that music  purifies the soul, heals the heart, 

refreshes the brain ; and improves individuals’ health condition. 

 

Methodology 

This study employed a qualitative design method. Ten (10) of the exceptional people were divided into 

two groups five (5) clients per group; these include the mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, 

physically challenged, hearing impaired, and partially sighted. These clients were treated with music. 

The first group was used as the control group; the second group as the experimental group. The 

control group was compared with the experimental group to determine the impacts of music. A 

comprehensive analysis of comparison, personal observation & feedback from questionnaires gathered 

from the respondents were used to ascertain the effect of music therapy used on the participants 

(clients). It was discovered that Music, particularly when used as therapy plays significant roles by 

providing an amazing way of captivating the attention of exceptional people and inspiring them on 

social interactive ability, communication skill, psychomotor ability, and cognitive ability. 

 

To ascertain the reliability of the instrument intended to be used, a pilot study was conducted on ten 

(10) numbers of exceptional people whose age ranges between 18-43 years. These exceptional people 

were divided into two groups of five participants each. 

Five numbers of exceptional people were used in this study as the control group; they were compared 

with the experimental group to observe the behavioral and emotional changes of the exceptional 

people before the music therapy session, during the music therapy session, and during the behavioral 

situations/ responses after treated with music. 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

 

The researcher also adopted reversal design method in collecting data. A(baseline period)- 

B(experimental period)-A(baseline period). According to Paul C. Cozby (1977:185) this design, called 

ABA requires that behavior be observed during the baseline (A) period and again during the 

experimental (B) period, and also during a second (A) baseline period after the experimental has been 

removed. The researcher used a recorder instrument to snap and record all the data gathered in the 

fieldwork 

The pictures tagged "A-C" below review the emotional state of the exceptional people before, and 

during the music therapy session  

A.       B.  

C (i)    C(ii)  

 

Picture A reviews the loneliness and boredom situation of exceptional people before being treated 

by music. 

Picture B reviews the reactions, expressions, responses, and moods that were shown on the clients' 

faces during the music therapy session. These include dancing, clapping, and screaming as a result of 

the joy that radiated within. And the dumb among them attempted to talk! 

Picture C-Cii review the behavioral changes after treated by music. After comparing  the behavioral 

situation of these exceptional people before the music therapy session with the behavioral changes 

after the music therapy session. The following results were collated: 

These exceptional people gained more confidence to communicate with themselves. The emotionally 

disturbed among them gained concentration after the music therapy session. They were more 

energized and their mood changed from loneliness to a sense of belongingness just to mention but a 

few. Thus, it is deduced that the research instrument is reliable since the positive responses, 

reactions, and behavioral changes meet the purpose of the research work. Hence, this ease the main 

research. 

 

Data Analysis & Discussion of Findings 

The study attempted to: 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

1. Examine the roles of music therapy on the exceptional people in the case study centers, 

2. Explain in detail who the exceptional people are 

3. Evaluate the effects of music therapy in improving the health challenges of exceptional 

people. 

4. Suggest music therapy as a treatment that can be used to enhance the readiness and 

concentration of exceptional people during classroom lessons 

A comprehensive analysis of comparison of the music therapy session, interview, observation, and 

questionnaire was used to gather information from the participants. 

The behavioral changes, emotional states, and moods of clients before the music therapy session, 

during the music therapy session, and the behavioral states/responses after being treated with music 

were observed. 

 

Activities 

SESSION ONE: This session lasted for about about 10-15 minutes. 

Clinical aims: This session aims to know the following: 

i. If clients could easily remember the lyrics of the songs played both as a piece of vocal music and 

as instrumental music and if they could respond and sing along to the tunes of the songs ( This helped 

the researcher to find out the cognitive ability and communicative ability that music therapy 

enhances) 

ii. If clients could move, or shake any parts of their body to the music heard (This helped the 

researcher to find out the psychomotor ability that music therapy provides) 

iii. If clients could through demonstration, touch, and excitement, interact with one another, with 

their patrons, matrons, and the researcher during the music therapy session ( This helped the 

researcher to deduce the interactive ability that music therapy provides) 

Songs utilized in this session include, 

i. Omo mi seun rere tie adara o…by Christy Essien-Igbokwe 

ii. Bata mi adukokoka, tinbakawe mi…by Princes Bummi Olajubu 

iii. Awon omo alaigboran po nile iwe… 

iv. Eko darapupo by Bunmi Olajubu 

The musical instrument used includes: 

i. Electronic keyboard 

ii. Saxophone 

iii. Drum 

iv. Sekere 

Participants in this session were Ten (10) in counts. Five (5) of the participants were used as the 

control group the remaining Five (5) were used as the experimental group. The Five participants (5) 

in the experimental group were treated with songs that were performed both in vocal and 

instrumental music types. One of the students who fall into the category of the physical challenge 

(has a stroke on his legs) as a result of his passion earlier before the music therapy session began, 

was instructed to beat the sekere which was accompanied together with other instruments during 

this session. The pictures below show the moods and responses of the clients during this study. 

 

SESSION TWO 

This session lasted for Just 10 minutes. This session is not the main procedure designed for data 

collection of the paper though. But came up as a demand from the remaining large numbers of 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

exceptional people and their respective patrons and matrons in the case study home, it, however, 

came up shortly after the main procedure designed for this study. This is to establish the fact that 

music stimulates excitement in exceptional people. All the exceptional people in this case study center 

were entertained by music. The following songs were used: 

i. Glory be to God in the highest hallelujah 

ii. Eko darapupo by Bunmi Olajubu 

iii. Bata mi adukokoka, tinbakawe mi…by Princes Bummi Olajubu 

These songs were collectively selected and accompanied by musical instruments to beautify the 

performance. The pictures below illustrated the excitation and Joy of all the participants collectively 

after the study. 

A.     B.   

Picture A shows the general mood of clients /students at the beginning of the therapy session while 

Picture B shows the mood during the music therapy session. 

  

Research Findings 

Table one & two below summarizes the findings gathered before and after the music therapy session 

using qualitative analysis. Table one summarized the behavioral observation before and after the 

music therapy session while Table two summarized the feedback effects of music therapy deduced 

from the questionnaires given to be answered by the management of the case study center. 

BEHAVIORAL OBSERVATION ANALYSIS TABLE 

Categories of the clients 

used as the control & 

experimental group 

Degree of 

impairment 

before music 

therapy 

Degree of impairment 

after music therapy 

 

Effect of music 

therapy on the 

clients 

Mentally retarded Aggressive Mild calmness Calm 

Emotionally disturbed Proactive Mild calmness Concentrate 

Physically handicapped Intimidation Self-confident Self-discovery 

Hearing impaired Indifference to 

sounds 

Mild movement to 

rhythms 

Positive  

Partially sighted Unable to 

recognize things 

Ability by recognizing 

by touch 

Positive 

 

 



 

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Awka Journal of Research in Music and the Arts (AJRMA) Vol 17 June 2024 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY SUMMARY OF QUESTIONNAIRES USED TO EVALUATE THE 

EFFECTS OF MUSIC THERAPY ON CLIENTS AFTER THE STUDY 

Respondents 

Questionnaire

s 

1st 

Respondents 

2nd 

Respondents 

3rd 

Respondents 

4th 

Respondent

s 

5th 

Respond

ents 

Needs for 

music therapy 

High High High High High 

Impart of 

music therapy 

Positive Positive Positive Positive Positive 

Music therapy 

succession 

Positive Positive Positive Positive Positive 

The  emotional 

state of 

clients before 

music therapy 

Weak Weak Weak Weak Weak 

The emotional 

state of clients 

after music 

therapy 

Improv

ed 

Improved Improved improved Improv

ed 

 

Discussion of Findings 

The purpose of this discussion is to evaluate the roles of music therapy on exceptional people.  

 

Roles of Music Therapy on the Exceptional People 

The following questions were raised earlier and the answers are given in this heading, 

1. What are the roles of music therapy for exceptional people? 

TABLE TWO 



 

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Music therapy plays a significant role which enhances the effective communication skills, motor skills, 

social interactive skills, and cognitive skills of exceptional people within society. Music therapy also 

provides stress relief and manages the behavioral disorderliness of exceptional people. 

2. What are the effects and responses that music therapy creates on exceptional people during 

and after music therapy 

In agreement with the discovery of Dr. Florence Nweke (Rejuvenating the memory of the elderly 

people through music February 4, 2018), it was discovered that during these music therapy sessions, 

participants regained their memory of the selected songs and simultaneously recalled the lyrics of 

these songs that were first played as instrumental music off hand. 

This study also discovered that the physically challenged, and the emotionally disturbed in the 

research danced and responded perfectly to the tunes and rhythms of the selected songs cheerfully 

and actively. 

 

One of the physically challenged (crippled) among the participants who was instructed to play the 

sekere, played the instrument perfectly. This is to unveil the facts that there are so many talents, 

and skills that are hidden within these exceptional people but these endowments are denied and lost 

as a result of abandonment and attitude of the society towards these special people. This concurs 

with the first stage that Kirk (1975) categorizes the attitude of society at large toward exceptional 

people, that "The disabled were neglected, ridiculed and even destroyed at birth.” 

3. How does the use of music therapy improves the health issue of exceptional people? 

The researcher compiled the results of the  study  and  used  a qualitative analysis to explain the 

behavioral reactions of the exceptional people and  responses from questionnaires after the music 

therapy session in accordance to Paul C. Cozby's (1977:185) Reversal design method called ABA. 

A   refers to the baseline period (which was used as the control group in this study). This requires 

that behavior be observed during the baseline which was used as the control group in this study. 

B  refers to the experimental period (which was used as the experimental group in this study). This 

also requires that the behavior be observed during the experimental period. 

A  refers to the baseline period. (This repeated A requires that the behavior be observed during a 

second baseline period after the experiment). 

It was observed that all the participants in the experimental (B) group having been compared with 

the control group (A- baseline period) before and after the music therapy session, the experimental 

group (B- experimental period) were livelier than those in the control group (A) during the music 

therapy session and after the session. Observations deduced that participants were energized, 

strengthened, and gained more passion for living.The emotionally disturbed participants who could 

not relate at length were motivated and started communicating. Many of them could easily remember 

and interpret the memory of the songs during music therapy sessions. 

4. How can the use of music therapy enhance the readiness and concentration of exceptional 

people for classroom lessons? 

Hurban (1975:40) stated that "Most of these people love the music they respond quickly to it and 

give total attention to musical activities. However, it was also ascertained in this study that most of 

these exceptional people during music therapy sessions gained concentration. Thus, music therapy is 

an important tool that can be used to enhance the readiness and concentration of exceptional people 

for classroom activities. 

 

Conclusion 



 

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Music is very adaptable and can be used to meet the different needs of the exceptional persons that   

attend music therapy. Having scrutinized the roles of music therapy on exceptional people, results 

reveal that exceptional people who suffer loneliness, abandonment, several behavioral disorder, and 

health issues can also improve through music treatment. The roles that music therapy plays in 

exceptional people have been examined in the study. The paper thus supports the advancement of 

using music to improve the client's communication skills, social interaction skills, motor skills, and 

cognitive skills. It is recommended that music therapist will be given a right-hand fellowship in the 

medical community thereby allowing the exploration of music therapy as another solution to health 

and well-being across the globe. 

 

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- Florence, N. (2018). Rejuvenating the memory of the elderly people through music. University of 

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