Resources & references

Read a scoping review exploring the feasibility of telehealth music therapy (TMT) across various contexts. Findings suggest that TMT can be a complement to in-person therapy, when supported with structured approaches, adequate resources and thoughtful client selection. Challenges and innovations in the field are also discussed. 

Read an article examining the body synchrony of autistic children with their therapists during music therapy sessions. Results of this video microanalysis showed that while there was no significant change in the autistic children's ability to synchronize with therapists at the end of their treatment period, there was a significant increase in the ability of therapists to synchronize with the autistic children. The potential implications of this finding for both future research and practice are discussed.

Read about the neuroscience supporting the use of music, and, more specifically, neurologic music therapy, to target non-musical tasks in neurorehabilitation and neurodevelopment.

Read an article about the potential harms of music, especially in the context of vulnerable people. Highlights include the importance of following the professional advice of music therapists to navigate and mediate these potential harms, as well as the importance of ensuring consent and/or control for individuals experiencing music in their environments.

This paper delineates the design and development of the mindfulness-based music therapy (MBMT) program implemented in a pilot study and includes clients’ narrative journal responses. Conclusions and recommendations, including recommendation for further exploration of the function of music in mindfulness practice are provided.

Read an article that discusses a pain assessment model for music therapists. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in this domain is also discussed.

This paper describes a qualitative study that explores possible therapeutic benefits from the implementation of a music therapy drumming circle with at-risk youth in an alternative high school. The results could contribute to the development of this model for music therapists by 1) contributing to our understanding of how this process can work; 2) informing our understanding of therapeutic benefits and potential; 3) informing practice within school settings by music therapists.

This research article investigates how music therapy influences the mood levels of adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury (TB), and other types of brain injuries. The results demonstrated that participants had elevated mood levels after engaging in individual music therapy sessions.

Read a study on the use of music therapy in burn patients, including both adults and pediatric cases, which found that participants in the music therapy program reported a significant reduction in pain compared to those not participating in the music therapy program.

Findings of this study suggest that a group songwriting music therapy intervention can be as effective as traditional psychoeducation to teach psychiatric patients how to proactively manage their illness.

This study examines how music can serve as a mnemonic to improve memory recognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

This study investigated feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a single-session electronic music improvisation with a music therapist to diminish pain intensity and improve pain relief and mood in adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Qualitatively, there were two prominent themes directly related to music: 1) music listening and music therapy offered many positive and few negative effects; and 2) music therapists provided comfort beyond the music.