Resources & references

An online destination for discovery & deeper understanding.

Check back often as we add more resources.

The purpose of our resources database is to provide an easy access to knowledge about music therapy and its application with a diverse array of clientele, and to help answer questions from a diversity of visitors seeking information about music therapy. 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.  

If you wish to contribute to our database, click on the button below. The proposed references are submitted to an analysis and a selection process by a team of music therapists from the Institute. 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.

General search

Languages
Type of reference
Clients
Format
548 results Clear all
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.

NICU music therapy program reduced stress, promoted healing at Grey Nuns Hospital
2026
Type of reference
General information
Author
Steven Dyer
Language
English
Source / Publisher
CTV News
Country
Canada

Read an article detailing the work of Rebecca Lappa, a music therapy masters student, who, having just completed a trial program with a hospital for her final practicum is now working with the hospital to find funding for a longer term project. She explains the ways that music therapy helps babies in the NICU, and also shares that she was a NICU baby herself.

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.

Opera legend Renee Fleming teams up with Dr. Francis Collins to study how music can improve health
2024
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
PBS News Hour
Country
United States (USA)

In this news report, giants in their fields of music and science, soprano Renee Fleming and phyician and geneticist Francis Collins, are merging their knowledge to propel advancements in body and mind. Recent discoveries are shared. A recent international gathering of researchers, therapists and artists took stock of what is known and what is yet to be discovered. 

Orchestrating a New Path for Multiple Sclerosis: Achieving Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Rehabilitation Goals Through Physical and Music Therapy
2023
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Megan Weigel, Brian Hutchinson, Wendy L. Magee, et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care
Country
United States (USA)

This research article investigates who how music therapy and physical therapy can benefit individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). It demonstrates how these types of therapies can enhance rehabilitation, treat symptoms, decrease the use of medication, and improve overall wellbeing.

Outpatient group music therapy for the treatment of chronic tinnitus: A single group pre-experimental study
2026
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Tobias Wilfer, Carsten Spitzer & Annegret Körber
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
Country
Germany

Read an article on the use of a group music therapy treatment protocol in patients with chronic tinnitus. Results found a reduction in the subjective burden of the condition in around 60% of participants,  and this effect persisted at 6 months post-treatment.

Overview of a Music Therapy Program at a Maximum Security Unit of a State Psychiatric Facility
2002
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Melinda Fulford
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy Perspectives
Country
United States (USA)

This article describes a music therapy program in a maximum security psychiatric state facility. Brief descriptions of the patient population, admission and discharge criteria, safety and security concerns, music therapy interventions, and behavioral strategies are given in order to provide a picture of the program and the concerns associated with this population.

Pain Management with Adults
2013
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Joy L. Allen
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Barcelona Publishers
Country
United States (USA)

This book chapter examines the uses of music therapy for pain management in adults medical settings. It delineates criteria for referral and assessment, and an overview of methods and techniques.

Parent perspectives of telehealth compared to in-person family-centred music therapy for their autistic child in Hong Kong: A qualitative study
2025
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Lesley Wan Sang Leung, Jinah Kim & Grace Thompson
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
Country
China
Hong Kong

Read a study exploring the perspectives of parents of autistic children in Hong Kong on family-centered music therapy for their children in both telehealth and in-person formats. Benefits and challenges of both formats are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.