Palliative Care
Palliative Care
The potential benefits of music therapy for persons in palliative care have been validated by numerous scientific studies. Music therapists have many efficient interventions to relieve suffering, facilitate self-expression and share meaningful moments with loved ones. Music therapy with people in palliative care is practiced in several hospitals and palliative care homes, in general and geriatric medicine, as well as in pediatrics.
WHY music therapy can help
The music therapist works within a multidisciplinary team and helps people in palliative care by supporting them in achieving therapeutic goals. Music offers a form of refuge as well as a means of communication and expression that allows us to go beyond words when a person and their loved ones are coming to terms with the approach of death. No need to know music to benefit from music therapy: only a love of music is required. The music therapist takes into account all the necessary considerations to ensure that the patient receives care adapted to his condition and his personal context.
Music therapy helps this clientele to:
- Manage pain, in addition to medication
- Reduce anxiety about death
- Improve overall mood
- Experience positive moments with loved ones
- Promote moments of socialization
- Explore spirituality
- Support sharing and facilitate the expression of thoughts and emotions
- Increase quality of life in general
- Come to accept the grief to come, for loved ones
HOW music therapy is used
A variety of interventions, methods and techniques can be used with this clientele. Music therapy for people in palliative care can be active, where the patient participates in the creation or re-creation of music, or it can be receptive, where the patient listens to music chosen specifically to meet their needs. The interventions proposed by the music therapist depend on the person's level of awareness, their cognition, their mobility, their state of mind and their immediate needs. Furthermore, music therapy interventions can also include loved ones.
Sessions can include:
- Guided relaxation and music imagery
- Creation custom soothing music playlists
- Music improvisation with acoustic instruments
- Singing, performing and listening to songs, often with loved ones
- Support in sharing memories and/or creating life reviews
- Creation of a music legacy for loved ones
- Composition and recording of song(s)
- Sensory stimulation through music
- Entrainment interventions: the music therapist plays music that reflects the patient's initial state, then is gradually modified to calm or arouse the person
- Breathing and relaxation exercises to music
Research and references
At the Institute, we believe sharing knowledge is a fundamental part of our role. Our Resources section includes a growing list of research articles, presentations, videos and other documents, all dedicated to demonstrating how music therapy can positively impact this population and many others.
You will find these references, and more:
- Video: Music therapy at the end of life…
- Book: Music Therapy in the End of Life, 2nd edition
- Article: Exploring the Efficacy of Music in Palliative Care: A Scoping Review
To discover those references and other available sources of information, click here: Resources & references in palliative care