Resources & references

This news story features the clinical work of Matthew Frederick, a music therapist in the United States. Matthew offers an individual music therapy session to an older adult with Alzheimer's disease and the client's spouse.

This video presents music therapy sessions led by Kelly Sweeney and Jessie Palmer, board-certified music therapists (United States), to patients in the Carilion Clinic Hospice. Note: The beginning (2m 33s) corresponds to the excerpt shown in the lesson on music therapy. 

John Wallis, a Nordoff Robbins music therapist in the UK, works with Eddie, an older adult with Alzheimer’s disease showing how music therapy gives him the opportunity and means to step back into the present, reconnecting with past experiences and his own identity.

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 video exposes a case study of a child who was born without eyes and has always feared medical procedures. She is enrolled in music therapy at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s to decrease her anxiety.

The Jamboree is an intergenerational music therapy program in which young children, typically between the age of 0-4, and their accompanying adults (e.g., parent, grandparent, guardian) take part in weekly music therapy sessions along with residents living in retirement or LTC. During each session, a certified music therapist leads the group in singing songs, moving to music, using instruments and props (e.g., drums, scarves, bubbles) and gently facilitates interaction between participants. Additional care providers (e.g., recreation team members) observe, support and can participate in the program alongside the residents.

This research article presents a case study of an adult man with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in music therapy sessions. The results determined that music improvisation improved affect regulation, exploration of trauma-related issues, and self-agency.

A comprehensive guide to music therapy with young children, providing a detailed examination of development from birth to age five, with theoretical perspectives and extensive scales of developmental milestones.
The author categorizes development within five levels. An expansive catalog of musical goals is provided for singing, playing, moving, and musical understanding within each level.

This informational page from the Music Therapy Association of British-Columbia provides an overview of music therapy practices in a mental health context. It describes why music therapy may be effective in addressing mental health needs, lists examples of mental illnesses where music therapy can help, presents different approaches and activities that can be used, and provides literature supporting the use of music therapy for mental health.

This article investigates the therapeutic effects of music therapy for individuals in palliative care facing physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual challenges.

This video presents music therapy sessions at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital in the Tertiary Palliative Care Unit led by Sheila Killoran, certified music therapist (Canada).

Researchers at the University of Limerick (Ireland) discuss their respective studies in music therapy and arts-based research among older adults with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Presentations include testimonials and music performances used in arts-based research.