Resources & references

This article provides recommendations for music therapy practice and research among individuals with chronic pain using sickle cell disease as an exemplar condition. The research on music therapy for chronic pain management has shown that music therapy is particularly helpful in improving people's pain-related self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is well recognized to play an essential role in effective management of chronic pain.

Watch a documentary featuring music therapist Hilary Camino as she provides music therapy to older adults at Sage Living. It includes interviews, testimonials, and music therapy sessions about the benefits of music therapy for this population. Note: this video is available with closed captioning and a transcript. 

This document describes how music therapy can benefit elderly and their caregivers. It explains what music therapy is, its affordability and accessibility in Australia, and how it can improve the quality of life among adults with dementia, anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Read an article presenting two case studies of music therapy, in particular, improvisational music therapy and neurologic music therapy, to target social and communication goals in young multiply-disabled children.

This research article studies the effects of music therapy for patients with a terminal illness who are receiving end-of-life care within a family context. It studies the impact that music therapy can have on patients' immune system, quality of life, quality of sleep, and anxiety and depression levels.

Written by experienced American music therapists, this book explores how music therapy can enhance the quality of life for older adults, including those with physical impairments, Parkinson’s, stroke, or dementia. It also offers strategies for caregivers to use music in supporting physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.

Watch the 6th episode of a documentary series hosted by Gregory Charles about the therapeutic effect of choir singing and music among adults living with Alzheimer's disease. Two sequences (at 4:05 and 11:30) feature a exploratory group music therapy session with dyads composed of 4 choir members and their caregivers, as well as interviews with Suzanne Caron, President, and Tanya Lavoie, music therapist, from the National Music Therapy Institute. Note: this video is available with closed captioning and a transcript.