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.

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75 results
Music Therapy in Palliative Care
2015
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Clare O’Callaghan
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Oxford University Press

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 Therapy & Medicine: A Dynamic Partnership
2018
Type of reference
General information
Author
Dr. Deforia Lane
Language
English
Source / Publisher
TED Talks

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.

Music Therapy Program at SickKids
2017
Type of reference
General information
Author
Sick Kids Interactive
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Sick Kids Interactive

This video shows work by music therapist Carolyn Williams with children at Sick Kids Medical Hospital, in Toronto. Parents talk about the impact that music therapy has had on the development and the recovery of their child, while the music therapist comments on the actions and reactions of the children in the video. 

Music therapy, with a focus on babies, at the Montreal Children's Hospital
2021
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
French
Subtitle
French/English - in language other than audio
Source / Publisher
Montreal Children's Hospital

Pascal Comeau is part of the team of music therapists working at this hospital. With a variety of instruments, Pascal does much more than make music. By cleverly using soothing sounds, bright colors and fun shapes, he helps children who are admitted to the hospital for long periods of time or who have frequent appointments express their stress, fears and other feelings through music. For children with physical disabilities, playing an instrument and moving to the beat of the music can even improve their motor skills. In this video, find out more about the fascinating profession of music therapist!

Music Therapy with Families: Therapeutic Approaches and Theoretical Perspectives
2017
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Stine Lindahl Jacobsen, Grace Thompson
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Jessica Kingsley Publishers

This book describes well-defined models of music therapy for working with families in different clinical areas, ranging from families with special needs children or dying family members through to families in psychiatric or paediatric hospital settings. International contributors discuss their specific approaches and share case studies. Particular emphasis is placed on connecting theory and clinical practice and on discussing the challenges and relevance of each model.

Music Therapy With Trauma Patients and Their Families on a Pediatric Service
1984
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Laura Mc Donnell
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy

 Music therapy can uniquely help severely injured children and their families deal with the events surrounding an accident and its aftermath. The use of music therapy in treating these families on a pediatric service is described and illustrated with a fracture patient and a burn patient

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

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
 


 

Parents’ Views with Music Therapy in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study
2022
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Vladimir L. Cousin, Hubert Colau, Francisca Barcos-Munoz, Peter C. Rimensberger, et Angelo Polito
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Children

Cette étude rapporte que la musicothérapie (MT) pourrait être utilisée comme thérapie adjuvante en soins intensifs pédiatriques (SIP), pour l’anxiété et la gestion de la douleur. L’objectif de cette étude était d’examiner la perception de la musicothérapie par des parents d’enfants en SIP d’un hôpital universitaire. L’étude corrobore les potentiels positifs de la MT en SIP rapportés dans d’autres études:la musicothérapie pourrait être utilisée pour promouvoir le bien-être psychologique des parents et des enfants. 

Polio Music Therapy
2010
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy Trust Fund

 An individual who suffered from polio as a child described the impact of music therapy on his recovery over the years.

Qué es la musicoterapia? - Natalia Garbarets
2020
Type of reference
General information
Author
Natalia Garbarets
Language
Spanish
Subtitle
Spanish
Source / Publisher
Más que palabras

In this video (in Spanish), Natalia Garbarets, a music therapist in Spain, explains what music therapy is, how it differs from musical education, and what are its benefits.

Queering Queer Spaces: Journey of a Creative Arts Program for Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Creative Youth
2019
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Spencer Hardy, Juniper Monypenny
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy

As community spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals continue to expand and evolve, a variety of music and art-based programs have begun to develop. This article seeks to present a therapy program developped by an art therapist and a music therapist, targeted towards transgender, nonbinary, gender creative, and questioning youth, age 10-14, who are seeking support in navigating their gender identity and the challenges of identifying outside of the “norm” of cisgender. At a crossroads between traditional clinical mental health services and community-based approaches, it addresses the intentionality behind “queering” this program development as well as a spectrum of challenges and opportunities faced in piloting the program.

Reporting on outcomes: An adaptation of the ‘AQR-instrument’ used to evaluate music therapy in autism
2012
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Lawes, M.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: Music Therapy & Special Music Education 4(2), 110-120.

 This article introduces an adaptation of the music therapy and autism specific AQR-instrument. The author developed this adaptation following the requirement to report on the outcomes of his work at a school for children with autism. After introducing the AQR-instrument, the author describes how his adaptation enables him to produce bar charts illustrating client progress.