Resources & references

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The purpose of our database is to provide an easy access to knowledge about music therapy and its application with a diverse array of clientele.  We therefore propose a selection of pertinent* references, however not exhaustive, given that each week more research and other information are published around the world. 

Note (*) : the Institute does not endorse any promotional content, publicity or donation requests that might be included in any of the references.

Language
Type of reference
Clients
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39 results
Musicothérapie à la maison de soins palliatifs Saint-Raphaël
2021
Type of reference
General information
Language
French
Subtitle
French
Source / Publisher
Saint-Raphaël Palliative Care Home and Day Center

This video features Anna Lacourse, certified music therapist (Quebec) who presents her work with a patient at the Saint-Raphaël Palliative Care Home and Day Center (Montreal). The patient gives a testimonial and describes the benefits he has experienced through music therapy.

Musicothérapie : Bande à part chez Les Impatients
2011
Type of reference
General information
Language
French
Source / Publisher
Bande à part

Les Impatients is an organization that helps people living with mental health problems, offering art-based services. With Dany Bouchard, a certified music therapist, and people participating in his group music therapy sessions, the reporter Alexandre Courteau explored this discipline and shared some participants' testimonies on how music therapy has changed their life.

Musicothérapie et santé mentale : l’expérience de musicothérapeutes québécois
2017
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Guylaine Vaillancourt
Language
French
Source / Publisher
Revue officielle de l’Association canadienne des musicothérapeutes

The objective of this phenomenological research is to document the experience of music therapists practicing in mental health with adults receiving services in community and hospital settings in Quebec. Reflections, recommendations, research ideas, and the results of interviews are presented here. It is hoped that this work will help to foster the use of music therapy practices in mental health, an innovative and creative approach.

Qué es la musicoterapia? - Carla Navarro, Pedro Vinuesa et al.
2015
Type of reference
General information
Language
Spanish
Subtitle
Spanish
Source / Publisher
Neuras Ciencia

This video (in Spanish) includes interviews from Carla Navarro, Pedro Vinuesa, María Martínez-Gil, and Paula Ramirez who are music therapists in Spain. They explain what music therapy is, who can benefit, and how it can help people of all ages. Clients who received music therapy also describe how music therapy improved their life.

Qué es la musicoterapia? - Marcela Lichtensztejn
2009
Type of reference
General information
Language
Spanish
Subtitle
Spanish
Source / Publisher
Fundación INECO

In this video (in Spanish), Marcela Lichtensztejn, a music therapist in Argentina, provides a description of music therapy. She explains what music therapy is, its therapeutic benefits, how it can be applied clinically, who can benefit, and how it can affect the brain. Please note that the sound quality in the second half of the video is inaudible.

Role of Music Therapy in Palliative Care—Methods and Techniques
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
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.

The impact of group music therapy for individuals with eating disorders
2021
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Priya Shah, Elizabeth Mitchell, Shannon Remers, Sherry Van Blyderveen, Heidi Ahonen
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy

This study explored the efficacy of group music therapy sessions for teenagers and adults receiving in-patient eating disorder treatment. The results determined that music therapy was effective in reducing negative affect, improving emotional expression, supporting social connection, and helping patients on their recovery journey.

The role of songwriting in accepting visual impairments
2023
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
ArtEZ

This story explores the research of Jorien Habing, a master’s student in Music Therapy at the ArtEZ, University of the Arts in Netherlands, who is one of the few music therapists in the Netherlands working with people with visual impairments. She explains: "Music therapy plays a role in facilitating the acceptance process of blindness." For her final research, Jorien examined the role of songwriting to help individuals in this new target population adjust to living with visual impairment.

The spiritual meaning of pre-loss music therapy to bereaved caregivers of advanced cancer patients
2009
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Lucanne Magill
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Palliative and Supportive Care

The aim of this study was to learn how music therapy sessions, held prior to the death of a loved one, impact spirituality in surviving caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Pre-loss music therapy can potentially assist caregivers during times of bereavement, as they retain memories of joy and empowerment, rather than memories of pain and distress, and find meaning through transcendence.

The Transformative Thread of Music Therapy
2022
Type of reference
General information
Author
Chiltern Music Therapy
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Chiltern Music Therapy

This video shares the story of three people who have been supported through the power of music.
Music therapy helps people of all ages find their voice. Music therapy is unique in connecting at an emotional level, while improving speech, movement and learning skills.

The use of group drumming-based music therapy with male adolescents in a school violence prevention program in Korea: A pilot study
2022
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Eun Sil Suh
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Psychology of Music

This study investigated how a drumming experience influences students’ aggression and narrative experience as related to school violence. Participants were 15- to 16-year-old students from two classes in a men’s high school in a Southeastern city in Korea. The qualitative data indicated that group drumming may enhance self-esteem, assertiveness, emotional expression, anger management skills, cooperation, feelings of unity, empathy, and active listening skills.

Therapeutic Uses of Music with Older Adults. Second Edition
2008
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Alicia Ann Clair, Jenny Memmott
Language
English
Source / Publisher
American Music Therapy Association

Written by experienced American music therapists, this book explores how music therapy can enhance the quality of life for older adults, including those with physical impairments, Parkinson’s, stroke, or dementia. It also offers strategies for caregivers to use music in supporting physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.