Resources & references

Songwriting, used in many cultures as a mourning practice, can inform bereavement music therapy sessions and research. This study explored the perspectives of three Cape Breton Island songwriters and found it supports grief expression, personal growth, and connection.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety in pediatric burn patients during nursing procedures. The results from the qualitative and quantitative data indicated that music therapy reduced pain, anxiety, and behavioral distress, while increasing mood and enhancing relaxation. 

This article explores the efficacy of music therapy interventions in palliative care and their therapeutic impact on physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

This study investigated the behavioural and neurophysiological responses to song, speech and noise in a child with a brain injury and a disorder of consciousness. The child had a greater number of behavioural responses during the song condition, compared to the speech and noise conditions, supporting the use of music therapy in pediatric populations.

Click ici to read a summary of this study.

Music therapists work across populations and age groups to assist with pain management, from children during painful procedures to people at end-of-life care. Music therapists address acute, chronic as well as procedural pain.

This study surveyed accredited music therapists in Canada to examine the impact of religious beliefs on their clinical practice. Results found that religious devotion had more positive benefits than negative repercussions in the workplace among participants.

Research conducted at the University of Melbourne demonstrates that familiar songs can stimulate brain responses that other stimuli cannot in children with severe brain injuries. This article suggests that music therapy can facilitate neurorehabilitation and speed recovery.

Click here to read the study referenced in this article.

This study evaluated the feasibility and potential benefits of a drum circle activity designed to improve the affective experience of patients, families and staff in a large pediatric hospital. This preliminary study supports the usefulness of group drumming to enhance the well-being of pediatric hospital patients, families and staff.

This research study explores various music experiences for adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease including music therapy, recreational music groups, music listening and more. It delineates the difference between each type of experience and explains which to choose when working with this population. Individuals with dementia, members of the public and music therapists also share their perspectives.

This article examines as a clinical report two years of an ongoing music therapy journey with a young woman with autism. The different phases of the music therapy process are investigated from a relational point of view, explaining the therapeutic choices made by the therapist. including the application of theory of "Forms of vitality".

This article is a narrative review which offers background information on palliative care music therapy, and reports the authors’ viewpoints and reflections on supervision strategies and models employed with music therapy interns in palliative care settings based on their experiences. Approaches are shared on supporting pre-professionals as they begin working in palliative care contexts, as well as implications for supervision practices.

Click here to read a summary of the article.

This article reviews the use of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) to improve gait and other motor behaviors in Parkinson's Disease (PD). It aims to appraise the current state of knowledge in order to direct further neuroimaging studies about the therapeutic effects of rhythm and music based interventions for motor and non-motor symptoms of PD.