Resources & references

Read about music therapist Anne Lacourse's work at the Saint Raphaël Palliative Care Home and Day Center and watch a video (1m 6s) of her peforming a song composed by one of her clients.

The Journal of Music Therapy Research MiSOSTENIDO is an international open-source journal that publishes music therapy research in Spanish.

This research journal shares research, clinical case studies, methodological and theoretical work, and key contributions from international and major national events in France.

Article in a magazine that states the benefits of music therapy for individuals going through bereavement. Information about goals of music therapy and certified music therapists (MTA) are provided. 

Learn about a child with a neurologic disorder who received music therapy services and watch interviews from the child's mother, the music therapist, and a music therapy student.

An interview with Mark Ettenberger, an experienced music therapist in Colombia. He describes what music therapy is, its benefits, how it can be applied clinically and how it can support early childhood development.

Click here to watch a video interview of Mark Ettenberger.

Read a systematic review detailing the mechanisms of action and advances of the evidence in the use of Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) interventions. Results indicate that NMT can improve cognitive functions and neuropsychiatric symptoms with multiple cognitive disorders, but that the efficacy and goals of the therapy vary significantly by stage of disease progression. It also highlights the continued challenges facing the approach and recommendations for future research.

Read about how different research methodologies and collaboration across disciplines can be used to better research the use of music therapy in pain management.

Two music therapists use music therapy to help older adults living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. They show how singing, instrument playing, and other music therapy techniques can enhance physical movement, cognitive stimulation, and relaxation.

Watch how 3 music therapists — John Mews, Cristin Bostrom, and Nam Kyo Kim — work with children with developmental disabilities and their families.

Read an article exploring the feasibilty of incorporating mindful self-compassion into music therapy sessions for patients living with chronic pain. Results highlighted the need for future research to better interpret the results, but found a general increase in levels of pain acceptance following the treatment sessions.

Read an article detailing a micro-intervention protocol for adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder in music therapy. The intervention targets hyperarousal regulation through the use of singing and/or rapping, by employing entrainment as the primary therapeutic mechanism. Both indicators and contra-indicators to the use of this micro-intervention are also discussed.