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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130 results
Music therapy for people with substance use disorders
2022
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Claire Ghetti, Xi‐Jing Chen, Annette K Brenner, Laurien G Hakvoort, Lars Lien, Jorg Fachner, and Christian Gold
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

This is a Cochrane Review (intervention) addressing music therapy for people with substance use disorders. The objective was to compare the effect of music therapy in addition to standard care versus standard care alone, or to standard care plus an active control intervention, on psychological symptoms, substance craving, motivation for treatment, and motivation to stay clean/sober. The review outlines the search methods, selection criteria, data collection and analysis, results, and the authors' conclusions.

Music therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder
2014
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Geretsegger M, Elefant C, Mössler KA, Gold C
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

 The central impairments of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affect social interaction and communication. Music therapy uses musical experiences and the relationships that develop through them to enable communication and expression, thus attempting to address some of the core problems of people with ASD. The present version of this review on music therapy for ASD is an update of the original Cochrane review published in 2006. The findings of this updated review provide evidence that music therapy may help children with ASD to improve their skills in social interaction, verbal communication, initiating behaviour, and social-emotional reciprocity. Music therapy may also help to enhance non-verbal communication skills within the therapy context. Furthermore, in secondary outcome areas, music therapy may contribute to increasing social adaptation skills in children with ASD and to promoting the quality of parent-child relationships.

Music Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress in Adults: A Theoretical Review
2017
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Nora Landis-Shack, Adrienne J. Heinz, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Psychomusicology

This article describes current practices on the use of music therapy to support individuals with trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It reviews current studies to determine how music therapy can provide emotional support, regulate emotions, reduce anxiety and isolation, and elevate mood. 

Music therapy for stress reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
2020
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
de Witte, Martina, Pinho, Ana da Silva, Stams, Geert-Jan, Moonen, Xavier, Bos, Arjan ER, van Hooren, Susan
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Health Psychology Review

Music therapy is increasingly being used as an intervention for stress reduction in both medical and mental healthcare settings. Music therapy is characterized by personally tailored music interventions initiated by a trained and qualified music therapist, which distinguishes music therapy from other music interventions, such as ‘music medicine’, which concerns mainly music listening interventions offered by healthcare professionals. To summarize the growing body of empirical research on music therapy, a multilevel meta-analysis was performed to assess the strength of the effects of music therapy on both physiological and psychological stress-related outcomes, and to test potential moderators of the intervention effects. Results showed that music therapy showed an overall medium-to-large effect on stress-related outcomes.

Music therapy for supporting informal carers of adults with life-threatening illness pre- and post-bereavement; a mixed-methods systematic review
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
K. Gillespie, T. McConnell, A. Roulston, N. Potvin, C. Ghiglieri, et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
BMC Palliative Care

The objectives of the study were: i) to describe the characteristics and effectiveness of music therapy interventions which aim to improve health-related outcomes for adult informal carers of adults with life-threatening illness, and ii) to describe the experience of music therapy for adult informal carers of adults with life-threatening illness. Conclusion: qualitative studies provide moderate to strong evidence for improved health-related outcomes for adult informal carers of adults with life-threatening illness pre-bereavement. 

Music therapy for young children with acquired communication impairments: An international survey of clinical practices
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
James Burns, Rebecca O’Connor & Hilary Moss
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nordic Journal of Music Therapy

This study employed an online survey to investigate current approaches, clinical interventions, and outcome measures used by music therapists working with young children with acquired communication impairments (ACIs)  to address language- and communication-oriented goals. Among the diverse range of interventions employed by music therapists, song singing, vocal improvisation, and music and play emerged as the most effective techniques for supporting individuals with ACIs in achieving their goals. 

Music therapy helping to work through grief and finding a personal identity
1999
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Henk Smeijsters, José van den Hurk
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Music Therapy

This article describes a qualitative single-case study of the treatment of a woman having problems with grief and finding a personal identity. The music therapist used several techniques of improvisation to support the client's cautious steps into a new musical and a new personal world.

Music Therapy Implications and Considerations for Individuals with Visual Impairments
2020
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Amy Clements-Cortez; Hope Pascoe
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Music Educator

This article provides background information on visual impairments and the impact of these disorders on social connectedness, activities of daily living, mood, quality of life, and child development. Implications and potential for music therapy for visually-impaired children and adults are discussed.

Music therapy in addictions treatment: A systematic review of the literature and recommendations for future research.
2017
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Kathleen M. Murphy
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music and Medicine

This paper updates an earlier review that encouraged the music therapy community to continuing investigating the efficacy of music therapy in treatment of substance abuse. 12 studies met inclusion for this review. The most common music therapy method to be investigated was lyric analysis, followed by music and imagery methods, and then songwriting. Recommendations include suggestions for reducing bias in future studies and continued research.

Music Therapy in End-of-Life Care Contexts
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Amy Clements-Cortés, Sara Klinck
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Scolarly Community Encyclopedia

This brief entry is a summary of a peer-reviewed article. It explains succinctly what is music therapy in palliative care. 

Click here to read the related research study.

Music therapy in grief resolution
1999
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Ruth Bright
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

The article describes an innovative method of facilitating grief resolution using precomposed music that is significant to the patient after a major loss. In this method, music is of equal importance with verbal processing as part of the overall therapeutic approach. Musical improvization is also used as a primary tool to reflect back to, and affirm for, the patient the affective content of his or her life story. 

Music Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a Systematic Qualitative Analysis
2004
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Wendy L. Magee, Jane W. Davidson
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy Perspectives

This research article investigates the effects of music therapy for adults with chronic and progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) based on current studies. The results prove that music therapy addresses emotional, physical, and interpersonal challenges that come from acquired disabilities.