Resources & references

This study explores the factors involved in successful development of music therapy programmes for individuals with intellectual disability services in Ireland. Music therapists who have developped programs, as well as (non-music therapist) managers of music therapy programs share their perspectives.

A randomized controlled study examined music therapy’s impact on healthy ageing in older adults without cognitive disorders. Participants in individual, small-group, and large-group music therapy showed significant improvements in cognitive function, while the control group experienced a decline. All music therapy groups also reported reduced depressive symptoms, whereas the control group showed no change. Differences in cognitive improvements across therapy formats suggest that music therapy can be tailored to individual needs.

Click here to read a general information article discussing this study.

Read an article exploring the impact of guitar accompaniment styles on pain, hope, and therapist competence in an adult cardiovascular unit. Results showed that both simple and complex patterns reduced pain. Simple patterns were linked to slightly higher hope, while complex patterns were associated with slightly higher perceived therapist competence, though neither was statistically significant.

This review investigated the effects of music-based interventions (music therapy and music medicine) on pain and anxiety in children and adults undergoing medical procedures. Conclusions: There is a need to clearly define and differentiate between music therapy and music medicine interventions in procedural support research. Further research is necessary to determine which patients would benefit most from music interventions during medical procedures, and which interventions are most beneficial. 

Read a systematic review examining the effects of music and music therapy in autistic individuals. Findings indicate a difference in how people with ASD perceive music, as compared to typically developping peers. They also found that the neurologic connections involved in music processing seem to be intact for autistic people, and that music therapy appears to have a positive impact on several areas of functioning for this population. 

This study was an exploratory inquiry into the role of music therapy with pre-bereaved informal hospice caregivers. Engagement with resource-oriented music therapy mediates the risk of increased care burden and results in resilience fostering purposefulness and value in caregiving. Resource-oriented music therapy provides a unique clinical avenue for supporting caregivers through pre-bereavement, and was acknowledged by caregivers as a unique and integral hospice service. 

Read a narrative synthesis evaluating the literature on the therapeutic mechanisms underlying music therapy approaches in adult survivors of trauma. A theory of change underlying the success of these approaches is also proposed. 

This study explored the use of music temporality in clinical improvisation in Nordoff Robbins music therapy sessions with children. Results offered time models that showed how temporal positions within music improvisation and singing helps to improve self-regulation, expression, and introspection.

This research article explores the effects of Nordoff Robbins- based music therapy sessions in treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study demonstrated that music therapy decreased depression and anxiety and improved self-acceptance and life-quality among individuals with MS.

This single-blinded randomized controlled trial compares the effects of 1) active group music therapy and 2) receptive group music therapy to group counseling in treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The conclusion is that group music therapy, either active or receptive, is an interesting adjunctive treatment option for outpatients with MDD. 

Read a master's thesis exploring the literature around the concept of using musical synchrony in music therapy to improve the social strengths of autistic individuals. Results find that while there has been very little written directly about synchrony in music therapy with autistic individuals, it has been found that autistic individuals process music at the same level as their non-autistic peers, and that synchrony increases through music therapy for non-autistic individuals. Thus, the thesis posits that targeting synchrony in music therapy may be useful for assisting autistic people in building social relationships.

Read a study exploring the different approaches and techniques used by music therapists working with blind/low vision individuals. Key areas discussed include the use of touch, the use of the voice, the setup of the therapy space, and the accessibility of various instruments.