Resources & references

Join certified music therapist Amy Standridge as she conducts a music therapy group session with older adults living with dementia, and their care partners.

Learn more about the benefits of music therapy for individuals with dementia/Alzheimer's disease.

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, breathing, singing and rhythmic exercises were effective in reducing hyperarousal and improving attention among participants.

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. 

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caregiver-implemented music applications on engagement with their care receivers. Music therapy applications are effective in increasing mutual engagement in couples with dementia, and caregivers can effectively facilitate the engagement using music. Furthermore, once the engagement is established, it carries over into visitation without music.

This video provides music therapy live footage and testimonials of its impact in the life of children and their parents. It documents music therapy with young children within a developmental approach. 
It documents the approach and the work of Jennifer Puckett, MT-BC.

Air Force veteran Christopher Smith shares how music therapy helped him deal with the anxiety of almost losing his eyesight. Through drumming and singing, he found a way of coping with PTSD.

Trish MacAulay, a certified music therapist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, Canada, leads a group music therapy sessions for Canadian veterans. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, participants engaged in group singing experiences to enhance social interaction and improve wellbeing.

Click here to learn more about how music therapy can improve veterans's quality of life.

This article describes the experience of a registered music therapist in Australia who offered music therapy services to an older adult with early onset dementia. It provides clinical examples of what music therapy is and how it can improve the quality of life of older adults.