Resources & references

Read how 3 adults with neurologic conditions received interdisciplinary care integrating neurologic music therapy and physical therapy to enhance neurorehabilitation.

Read a feasibility study on the development of Music Enriched Verb Network Strengthening Training (MeVNeST), a new, interdisciplinary improvisation based singing protocol for people with aphasia. Results suggest that this protocol may be particularly effective in patients with combined apraxia of speech and aphasia, and participants indicated preferring the inclusion of music over the original speech and language pathology intervention of Verb Network Strengthening Training (VNeST). Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.  

This research article explores the effects of a neurologic music therapy technique called rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) with adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). The results demonstrated that a home-based program using RAS can improve walking velocity, cadence, stride length, and step length.

This research article explores how improvisational music therapy can promote neurological rehabilitation among individuals with neurologic disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). It discusses how music improvisation can improve self-organizational processes, attunement with self and others, and communication.

This video narrates a young girl progress through her music therapy treatment at Primary Children's Hospital. She was referred to music therapy for an important head injury, and slowly finds her skills back with the help of Kayla Zickerman, Music Therapist. In the end of her two-month hospitalization, the patient offers a recital that demonstrates the extent of what she was able to work on in music therapy at the hospital.

Learn about Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), a system of standardized and evidence-based techniques in applied auditory music neuroscience. Neurologic music therapists use music perception and production to help individuals address sensorimotor, speech and language, and cognitive skills among diverse populations.

A list of key NMT publications (research) is available here.

This research article explores the effects of Nordoff Robbins- based music therapy sessions in treating patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study demonstrated that music therapy decreased depression and anxiety and improved self-acceptance and life-quality among individuals with MS.

When Robert Gupta was caught between a career as a doctor and a violinist, he realized his place was in the middle, with a bow in his hand and a sense of social justice in his heart. He tells a moving story of society's marginalized and the power of music therapy, which can succeed where conventional medicine fails. .

Article and video showcase work by music therapist Laurie Perez with a teenage student with cerebral palsy, demonstrating the use of song writing in a school setting with children with disabilities

Read an article exploring the neural changes observed in dementia patients following a music therapy program targeting cognitive function. Results suggest that music therapy may increase the connectivity of compensatory neural networks used to improve and maintain cognitive performance.

Read an article presenting an economic model for the implementation of community-based music therapy treatment for individuals living with dementia in the UK. Findings suggest that music therapy may be a cost-effective longer term intervention for this population, and may support policy makers in increasing access to MT care. 

Read about facilitators and barriers to the development and integration of an inpatient music therapy program for neurorehabilitation, from the perspective of patients, family members, and various health care professionals.