The Arts and Quality of Life Research Center in conjunction with the Comprehensive HIV Program at Temple Hospital has been awarded a grant by Johnson & Johnson and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare. Drs. Cheryl Dileo (Professor of Music Therapy) and Dr. Ellen Tedaldi (Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the HIV Program) serve as Principle Investigators.

 

The grant, in the amount of $20,000 funds a research project involving the implementation and evaluation of physiological, psychological, social and quality of life effects of a unique choral arts/music therapy program for underserved minority HIV/AIDS patients and their caregivers. Patients and their caregivers participate in a specially designed choir that meets weekly over a 9-month period. Immediately following the choir, small group music therapy sessions are provided to participants. Board-certified music therapy graduate students lead the sessions under Dr. Dileo’s supervision.

 

The choral arts portion of this program is also open to medical staff at Temple Hospital.