Resources & references

 Since late 2013, music therapist Tom Curry has provided individual and group based music therapy services at St. Martha's Regional in Antigonish, arranged through the Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!) community collaboration.

This is a summary of a study, which reveals promising findings for the application of improvisational music therapy in assuaging the multidimensional acute pain of adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). 

This paper delineates the design and development of the mindfulness-based music therapy (MBMT) program implemented in a pilot study and includes clients’ narrative journal responses. Conclusions and recommendations, including recommendation for further exploration of the function of music in mindfulness practice are provided.

Read an article that discusses a pain assessment model for music therapists. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in this domain is also discussed.

Read a study on the use of music therapy in burn patients, including both adults and pediatric cases, which found that participants in the music therapy program reported a significant reduction in pain compared to those not participating in the music therapy program.

This study investigated feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a single-session electronic music improvisation with a music therapist to diminish pain intensity and improve pain relief and mood in adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Qualitatively, there were two prominent themes directly related to music: 1) music listening and music therapy offered many positive and few negative effects; and 2) music therapists provided comfort beyond the music. 

Read a meta-analysis investigating the effects of music on pain. Results indicate that music therapy may be an effective complementary approach for the relief of acute, procedural, and chronic pain in the medical setting.

Read about a study exploring the efficacy of music therapy during dressing changes in burn patients. Results indicate a significant decrease in acute procedural pain, anxiety and muscle tension levels associated with daily burn care.

Read a study evaluating the impact of group music therapy sessions among patients undergoing chemotherapy and their caregivers. Results showed reduced anxiety and stress, improved wellbeing for both patients and caregivers, and fewer chemotherapy-related side effects in patients.

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.

This article describes music therapy services offered at the adult psychiatry department of the Montreal General Hospital.

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.