Resources & references

This paper examines current literature in developmental psychology in order to discuss how music therapy can foster resilience in early childhood. Music therapy can help prepare young children and their families for handling adversity, increase parental sensitivity, and create multiple opportunities for families to develop adaptive interpersonal interaction patterns.

This article provides a critical appraisal of research developments in reassessing the current clinical scope of practice in music therapy for autism spectrum disorders to include interventions targeting motor and attention functions.

Review of current literature on sound, movement, and rhythmic auditory information showing that it can improve movement execution, control, and relearning processes in sports and motor rehabilitation.

This book brings knowledge of the arts and the sciences and a review about the brain and music, specifically rhythm. It provides a thorough examination of research, including the biomedical applications of neurological music therapy, a system of techniques applied in sensorimotor speech and cognitive rehabilitation.

This paper examines music therapy as a salutogenic approach within a biopsychosocial framework and emphasizes the need for its acceptance in India. Music therapy supports preventive and curative treatment, aids coping and acceptance for patients and caregivers, and offers a holistic, biopsychosocial approach to palliative care.

This study explores how a music therapy group was able to support young people's transition from mental health services into everyday community engagement. Results showed that the group provided a safe space to support the processes of coming together and constructing social identity. 

A pilot study of a the SMAART music therapy protocol shows that it can help prisoners with a Post Traumatic Stres Disorder (PTSD) in a Penitentiary Psychiatric Center. Neurologic music therapy techniques, guided breathing, singing and rhythmic exercises were effective in reducing hyperarousal and improving attention among participants.

Read an article describing a study using music-based training to target the spectral resolution for deaf children with bilateral hearing loss, including at least one cochlear implant (CI). The training consisted of 12 weeks of 40 minute in person group music therapy sessions, as well as the use of an online music activities app 3 times a week for 15-30 minutes at a time. Results found that, in spite of the known limitation of CIs on spectral resolution, music training, facilitated by a music therapist, can improve spectral resolution perception in children with CIs.

Read a research article on the use of music in the lives of children with severe forms of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. Findings suggest that music is a very important method in allowing these children to connect with the world around them and interact with others, and that parents were often unaware of their child's potential, demonstrated especially through their musical interactions. Discussion for the collaboration between parents and professionals, particularly music therapists, is also included.

This paper presents a three-way collaboration between a registered music therapist, art therapist and Aboriginal Elder, healer, and artist in Australia. Participants created a yarning project along with music that complemented their artwork, to support social and emotional wellbeing of First Nation Elders living with dementia. 

Read about the program DRUMBEAT (Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes and Thoughts), which shows significant improvements in students' self-esteem, and internalizing and externalizing behaviours, as reported by both teachers and students.

This study analyzed songs written by active-duty military personnel who participated in music therapy sessions and were living with psychological health conditions and/or mild traumatic brain injury. These songs highlighted the challenges faced by the participants and gave them the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings with their loved ones for the first time.