Resources & references

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The purpose of our database is to provide an easy access to knowledge about music therapy and its application with a diverse array of clientele.  We therefore propose a selection of pertinent references, however not exhaustive, given that each week more research and other information are published around the world. 

Language
Type of reference
Clients
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265 results
Music therapy in grief resolution
1999
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Ruth Bright
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

The article describes an innovative method of facilitating grief resolution using precomposed music that is significant to the patient after a major loss. In this method, music is of equal importance with verbal processing as part of the overall therapeutic approach. Musical improvization is also used as a primary tool to reflect back to, and affirm for, the patient the affective content of his or her life story. 

Music therapy helping to work through grief and finding a personal identity
1999
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Henk Smeijsters, José van den Hurk
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Music Therapy

This article describes a qualitative single-case study of the treatment of a woman having problems with grief and finding a personal identity. The music therapist used several techniques of improvisation to support the client's cautious steps into a new musical and a new personal world.

Music therapy: ‘Her face just lights up when she hears it’
2022
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
BBC News Northern Ireland

Watch the music therapy journey of a young girl with cerebral palsy and blindness. Her mother tells the changes she witnesses in her daugther during music therapy sessions. Also, this video explains how music therapy is provided in Northen Ireland. The Royal National Institute for the Blind advocates for more music therary access for children in this country. 

Music Therapy hits the right note in Nova Scotia hospital
2019
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nova Scotia Health

The Aberdeen Hospital's first music therapist, Kelsey MacDonald, plays an important role in improving the health and quality of life for the hospital patients and families.

Music therapy hits the right note in Nova Scotia hospital
2019
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Nova Scotia Health

This video presents the work of Kelsey MacDonald, certified music therapist (Canada). In this video, Kelsey provides music therapy sessions to a patient with dementia at Aberdeen Hospital in Nova Scotia. This video includes testimonials from the patient's daughter and the director of the palliative care unit.

Music Therapy Implications and Considerations for Individuals with Visual Impairments
2020
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Amy Clements-Cortez; Hope Pascoe
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Music Educator

This article provides background information on visual impairments and the impact of these disorders on social connectedness, activities of daily living, mood, quality of life, and child development. Implications and potential for music therapy for visually-impaired children and adults are discussed.

Music therapy improves the health of premature babies and boosts parental bonding
2019
Type of reference
General information
Author
Elizabeth Coombes
Language
English
Source / Publisher
The Conversation

 Music therapy improves the health of premature babies and boosts parental bonding

Music therapy legacy work in palliative care: Creating meaning at end of life
2006
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Louise M. Cadrin
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy

Legacy work is the process of creatively expressing and documenting one's life, with the goal of leaving the legacy for future generations. Music therapists can offer unique opportunities to create legacy work due to the music medium that is the basis of their work. Three contrasting case studies, incorporating patient, family and therapist perspectives, are presented to illustrate music therapy legacy work.

Music Therapy May Help Teens Cope with Cancer
2014
Type of reference
General information
Author
Mary Brophy Marcus
Language
English
Source / Publisher
WebMD

  This article describes different techniques, interventions and outcomes of teens during cancer treatment. They describe how writing lyrics, making videos helped them get through grueling treatment and connect with others, study found.

Music Therapy & Medicine: A Dynamic Partnership
2018
Type of reference
General information
Author
Dr. Deforia Lane
Language
English
Source / Publisher
TED Talks

Music therapist Deforia Lane shares her experience of how music therapy has been used to help an unborn child. Dr Lane also takes you inside University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center to experience first hand the response of their patients to music therapy.

Music therapy: A nonpharmacological approach to the care of agitation and depressive symptoms for nursing home residents with dementia
2015
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Kendra D Ray, Mary S Mittelman
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Dementia

Depression, agitation, and wandering are common behaviors associated with dementia and frequently observed among nursing home residents. The results of this study suggest widespread use of music therapy in long-term care settings may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and agitation.

Music Therapy in Pain and Anxiety Management during Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2020
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Rocio Santiváñez-Acosta, Elena de las Nieves Tapia-López, and Marilina Santero.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Medicina

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy to manage pain and anxiety during labor. The primary outcomes were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Music therapy seems to have beneficial effects on pain intensity and anxiety during labor, especially for women giving birth for the first time.