This study selected, categorized, and analyzed 96 studies from 1972 to 2017 in
order to survey research trends in music education for the visually impaired. The
studies were found by searching in the Research Information Sharing Service(RISS),
National Library of Korea, and National Assembly Library’s electronic database with
the key words “visually impaired music,” and “visually impaired music education.”
Hence, 62 dissertations for masters and doctorate degrees and 34 academic journals
were selected.
First, for research on research subjects, there were many studies on music education
that featured adults as the research subjects and that in the category of disabilities,
studies that centered on just the visually handicapped were actively being done.
Second, for the research topic, there were many studies on music education for
hobbies, and it was revealed that the benefits of the education was giving subjects a
feeling of emotional stability and enhance rehabilitative functions.
Third, for research tools there were many studies that used the music aptitude
test, and it was revealed that research was conducted on the basis of the subjects’
in-depth opinions which were gained through questionnaires.