Resources & references

Read a Cochrane review on the effects of music therapy for autistic people, updated in 2022. Results show with moderate certainty an increased chance of global improvement and quality of life for autistic individuals, as compared to placebo and standard care conditions. Notable limitations include the age of participants, with no results able to be drawn between autism and music therapy for individuals older than young adults. Long-term effects are also understudied. 

In this video, an incredible family shares their story of how Music Therapy at Camp Kerry improved their lives after the death of their loved one.

This research article evaluated how music therapy can help children, teenagers, and young adults with cancer and blood disorders. It determined that music therapy is highly beneficial to have in an interdisciplinary team to manage symptoms and provide psychosocial care. 

This study reviews existing research to compare the effects of music therapy in addition to standard care versus standard care alone, or to standard care plus an active control intervention, on psychological symptoms, substance craving, motivation for treatment, and motivation to stay clean/sober.

This article provides background information on visual impairments and the impact of these disorders on social connectedness, activities of daily living, mood, quality of life, and child development. Implications and potential for music therapy for blind/visually impaired children and adults are discussed.

This article examines how music therapy is integrated into eating disorder treatments. It reviews research on music, music therapy, and eating disorders, suggesting that music therapy may be a valuable complement to systemic and family-based approaches.

This book chapter explains the effects of music therapy in palliative care. It is derived from the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine (5th Ed) published by the Oxford University Press. Note: The link includes the full text of the chapter (i.e., 18 pages plus references).

Music therapist Tim Ringgold discusses the use of music therapy in substance abuse treatment, outlining his personal journey into the field, the five clinical goals summarized by the S.O.B.E.R. acronym, and related therapeutic interventions.

This article describes different techniques, interventions and outcomes of teens during cancer treatment. They describe how writing lyrics, making videos helped them get through grueling treatment and connect with others, study found.

Music therapist Deforia Lane shares her experience of how music therapy has been used to help an unborn child. Dr Lane also takes you inside University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center to experience first hand the response of their patients to music therapy.

Read an article about a music therapy program in a school setting with the goal of supporting refugee children as they settle into their host country. Results demonstrate the importance of cultural sensitivity, staff training, seeking external funding, and incorporating music therapy as part of a holistic approach for success in the program.

Music therapists at the Montreal Children's Hospital explain how they use instrument playing, songwriting and musical performance to help adolescents express emotions, relax, release excess energy, and discover new passions.