Resources & references

Read an article detailing a study on interprofessional collaboration between music therapists and physiotherapists in therapy targeting movement for individuals with late-stage Huntington's Disease. The study found better results when both therapists worked together, compared to physiotherapists working independently, and that simpler rhythmic cues were more effective than more complex melodic cues.

Click here to read the original article.

Read an article that discusses the underlying neural mechanisms of pain across the lifespan, and how various aspects of music-based intervention may assist in pain management.

This article presents a study exploring the use of music therapy interventions for pain management in adults. Findings show that recreative and music-assisted relaxation and imagery interventions were significantly more likely to reduce pain intensity than receptive only interventions and also suggest that male patients, medicaid beneficiaries, and patients with sickle cell disease were less likely to report pain reduction.

Click here to read the referenced study.

The University of Toronto's Faculty of Music offers the Masters program in Applied Music and Health, approved by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. 

To read the description of the MMus program in Applied Music and Health, choose "Music and Health - Applied" and "MMus in Applied Music and Health" from the drop down menus at the top of the page. 

Read about the University of Toronto's PhD program in Music and Health Sciences. 

Read about the feasibility of online sessions within the creative art therapies through three case studies of veterans who received either art therapy, dance/movement therapy or music therapy . Sessions were held via in-home, synchronous clinical video telehealth.

This chapter in the book, Music Technology in Therapeutic and Health Settings describes the use of music technology as part of music therapy sessions at the Perkins School for the Blind. Diverse music therapy technology tools and their clinical use are described: voice output communication aids and switches, soundbeam device,  and music production softwares.

This pilot research investigated eight most commonly used Bruscia’s (1987) clinical improvisation techniques utilised in music therapy with autistic clients: imitating, reflecting, synchronising, extending, symbolising, holding, incorporating, and rhythmic grounding. Improvisations were recorded using LogicPro connected to MalletKAT instruments. Improvisations were analysed using music-adapted technology, the MIDI Toolbox.

Air Force veteran Christopher Smith shares how music therapy helped him deal with the anxiety of almost losing his eyesight. Through drumming and singing, he found a way of coping with PTSD.

Read a scoping review, updating a previous study done in 2021, on the use of virtual music therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include facilitators, barriers, equipment and education considerations, and the nuances of virtual music therapy.

Read a case study presenting the use of the non-verbal voice in music therapy for a young girl with severe intellectual disabilities, complex needs, and autism to build connections within herself and with the music therapist.

Open Access peer reviewed journal that invites interdisciplinary dialogue and discussion about music, health, and social change. This publication encourages participation from every continent and will nurture the development of discussion and debate.