Resources & references

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Our website is an ever-growing hub of reference material for anyone interested in learning more about music therapy: videos, presentations, interviews, articles, research papers, information about the profession of music therapist and other documents to better understand music therapy and its benefits.

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256 results
Review on the Relationship Between Sound and Movement in Sports and Rehabilitation
2019
Author
Nina Schaffert, Thenille Braun Janzen, Klaus Mattes & Michael H Thaut
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Frontiers in Psychology

The focus of this paper is threefold: 1) an overview of empirical studies using natural movement sounds and movement sonification in sports; 2) a review of recent clinical and applied studies using rhythmic auditory information and sonification in rehabilitation, addressing in particular studies on Parkinson’s disease and stroke; 3) Summary of current evidence regarding the cognitive mechanisms and neural correlates underlying the processing of auditory information during movement execution and its mental representation. 

Revue canadienne de musicothérapie (RCM) / Canadian Journal of Music Therapy (CJMT))
Language
Bilingual (English & French)
Source / Publisher
Canadian Association of Music Therapists

The Canadian Journal of Music Therapy (CJMT) is a bilingual, peer-reviewed publication that aims to raise international standards of music therapy knowledge and practice. 

Role of Music Therapy in Palliative Care—Methods and Techniques
2024
Author
Ramesh Bhuvaneswari
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Palliative Care

This paper hopes to provide an insight into the role of music therapy as a Salutogenic approach within a biopsychosocial framework and its need to be accepted in the Indian context. Music therapy may play the role with preventative and curative periods of treatment, as well as support to cope and acceptance toward the inevitable for the patient as well for the caregivers. Music therapy provides a biopsychosocial and holistic approach to palliative care.

Role of the music therapist in promoting parent-infant attachment (The)
2014
Author
Jane Edwards
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy

This article provides a rationale as to why musical interaction supported by a qualified music therapist can offer a potential pathway for improved attachment between the parent and infant. Two strong trends are revealed: the international breadth of the developing work by music therapists within family-centred contexts of practice, especially work with infants and their parents in the early years; and the use of theoretical principles of communicative musicality (Malloch & Trevarthen, 2008) combined with knowledge of early musical skills.

This article is available in French full-text translation. 
 

Scaffolding Young People’s Journey from Mental Health Services into Everyday Social Music Making
2019
Author
Cherry Hense
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy

Many young people experience social isolation during times of mental illness which can impact lifelong health outcomes. Supporting recovery involves addressing the social dimensions of mental health and promoting capacity for community engagement. A practice-based study was designed to explore how a pilot group music therapy project could support young people to bridge from mental health services into everyday community engagement. Results show that young people’s experienced of the group as a safe space that supported processes of coming together and constructing the social identity. The concept of scaffolding is offered as a useful way of considering how support may be structured.

Scientific Basis of Music Therapy (The)
Author
Dr. Suzanne Hanser
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Berklee Online

 In this video series, Berklee College of Music Faculty Dr. Suzanne B. Hanser, a board certified music therapist, and Annette Philip, founder and director of the renowned Berklee Indian Ensemble, share simple strategies from the Berklee Online course "Music Therapy Techniques for Wellness" to help you enrich your mind, body, and spirit through music.

Simra - Exploring the World Through Music
2019
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia

Simra was born with the rare conditions Lebers Amaurosis and Joubert Syndrome leaving her with total blindness as well as having poor muscle tone, co-ordination and balance. Watch as Simra explores the world through music with the help of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

Singing to preterm infants during kangaroo care boosts maternal wellbeing
2020
Author
Emily Henderson
Language
English
Source / Publisher
News Medical, Life Sciences

 This article discusses the positive benefits on well-being of adding music therapy to kangaroo care, which stresses the importance of skin to skin touch for preterm infants.

Social-emotional learning through a drumming intervention
2020
Author
Jennifer StGeorge; Emily Freeman.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy Perspectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the program DRUMBEAT (Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes and Thoughts), a ten-week school-based intervention. Linear mixed model analyses showed there were significant improvements in students’ self-esteem, and internalising and externalising behaviours, as reported by students and teachers. Drumming has the potential to draw young people into an educative environment where rhythm, collaboration and discussion can enhance understanding of intra- and interpersonal processes.

Spirit of Giving: Dans la rue music therapy
2010
Author
ctvmontreal.ca
Language
English
Source / Publisher
CTV News

This article describes the music therapy program at "Dans La Rue", a Montreal organization for homeless youth. Testimonials are given from some of the youth that have participated in this program, and the program's music therapist explains why music therapy can be beneficial.

Striking a Chord - Music Therapy at St. Martha's Hospital
2015
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nova Scotia Health Authority Page

 Since late 2013, music therapist Tom Curry has provided individual and group based music therapy services at St. Martha's Regional in Antigonish, arranged through the Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!) community collaboration.

Study finds music therapy brings effective pain relief for sickle cell patients
2018
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Medical Xpress

This is a summary of a study, which reveals promising findings for the application of improvisational music therapy in assuaging the multidimensional acute pain of adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).