Resources & references

An online destination for discovery & deeper understanding.

Check back often as we add more resources.

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.  The choice of references aims to offer a variety of types of contents, such as scientific publications and other more general ones, in text, video or audio formats, to help answer questions from a diversity of visitors seeking information about music therapy. 

If you have resources to propose for our database, click on the button below to submit the required information.  Thank you in advance!

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Note (*) : 

  • the Institute does not endorse any promotional content, publicity or donation requests that might be included in any of the references.
  • The proposed references are submitted to an analysis process and selection by a team of music therapists from the Institute.

 

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502 results Clear all
Musique et gestion de la douleur
2024
Type of reference
General information
Language
French
Source / Publisher
Canadian Association of Music Therapists
Country
United States (USA)
Ireland

Discover the benefits of music therapy in the treatment of chronic pain in adults, in this article about research projects from Dr Katie Fitzpatrick and Dr Joke Bradt.

Musique, musicothérapie et développement de l'enfant
2005
Type of reference
General information
Author
Guylaine Vaillancourt
Language
French
Source / Publisher
Éditions CHU Sainte-Justine, collection du CHU Sainte-Justine pour les parents
Country
Canada

This book is available in an official English edition by the Publisher.

This book, written by music therapist Guylaine Vaillancourt, is divided in two parts. This book is intended to make parents, educators and care-givers aware of how music and music therapy can benefit children. It also explains how the purposeful use of music by music therapy professionals can restore, maintain or enhance physical and psychological well-being of children.

See the record of the book Music, Music Therapy and Child Development.

Neurobiological Foundations of Neurologic Music Therapy: Rhythmic Entrainment and the Motor System
2014
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Michael Thaut, Gerald C. Mcintosh, Volker Hoemberg
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Frontiers in Psychology
Country
United States (USA)
Germany

This research article explains the scientific basis of Neurologic Music Therapy. In this music therapy approach, trained professionals use rhythm and auditory perception to enhance physical, cognitive, speech, and language rehabilitation along clients with various diagnoses such as Parkinson's disease and aphasia.

Neurophysiological synchrony between children with severe physical disabilities and their parents during music therapy
2021
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Ali Samadani, Song Kim, Jae Moon, et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Country
Canada
United States (USA)

Read an article exploring the neurophysiological synchrony between children with severe physical disabilities and their parents during music therapy sessions. Findings suggest that music therapy may facilitate cognitive-emotional connections between these non-speaking children and their caregivers.

New institute for the promotion and support of music therapy
2021
Type of reference
General information
Author
Suzanne Caron
Language
French
Source / Publisher
Revue canadienne de musicothérapie (RCM)
Country
Canada

Learn about the National Music Therapy Institute, founded by music therapist Suzanne Caron—its mission, vision, and history, along with key projects developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including online music therapy for family caregivers, autistic individuals, as well as training initiatives for music therapists.

New Ipsos data sheds light on public understanding of Music Therapy
2025
Type of reference
General information
Author
Clare Maddocks
Language
English
Source / Publisher
British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT)
Country
United Kingdom (UK)

A survey by the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) across the UK to explore public attitudes toward music therapy, reveals largely positive perceptions, but also highlights a persistent lack of understanding about what music therapy entails and how to access it.

New perspectives on music in rehabilitation of executive and attention function
2019
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Yuko Koshimori, Michael H. Thaut
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Country
Canada

This paper explores the existing behavioural, neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies of musicians, non-musicians and clinical populations with the goal of delineating the uses of music therapy to target executive functioning and attentional processes in cognitive rehabilitation.

New University of Limerick graduate using music therapy to treat chronic pain
2024
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
University of Limerick
Country
Ireland

An article about Katie Fitzpatrick, who has dedicated her education and career to music therapy and is blazing a trail in the treatment of chronic pain.

Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
GAMUT - The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and University of Bergen),
Country
International
Norway

 The Nordic Journal of Music Therapy serves the international community of music therapy by being an avenue for publication of scholarly articles, texts on practice, theory and research, dialogues and discussions, reviews and critique. Publication of the journal is based on the collaboration between the music therapy communities in the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and the three Baltic Countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Nordoff and Robbins: Jacob and Becky
2025
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Nordoff and Robbins
Country
United Kingdom (UK)

Watch a certified music therapist and her client make music together to promote recovery from speech and physical impairments post-stroke. 

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Video Portrait (Part 1)
2008
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Nordoff-Robbins
Country
United States (USA)

Discover the history of the Nordoff Robbins music therapy method for disabled children and watch early sessions, featuring both Clive Robbins and Paul Nordoff (Part 1). Note: these images were published on YouTube in 2008, but they date from an older time period (circa. 1993).

Click here to view part 2 of this video.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Video Portrait (Part 2)
2008
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Nordoff-Robbins
Country
United States (USA)

Discover the history of the Nordoff Robbins music therapy method for disabled children and watch early sessions, featuring both Clive Robbins and Paul Nordoff (Part 2).  Note: these images were published on YouTube in 2008, but they date from an older time period (circa. 1993).

Click here to view part 1 of this video.