Resources & references

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Our website is an ever-growing hub of reference material for anyone interested in learning more about music therapy: videos, presentations, interviews, articles, research papers, information about the profession of music therapist and other documents to better understand music therapy and its benefits.

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256 results
The Impact of Group Music Therapy on Depression and Cognition in Elderly Persons With Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Study
2013
Author
Hsin Chu, Chyn-Yng Yang, Kuei-Ru Chou
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Biological research for Nursing

The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of group music therapy for improving depression and delaying the deterioration of cognitive functions in elderly persons with dementia. The group music intervention is a noninvasive and inexpensive therapy that appeared to reduce elders’ depression. 
 

The role of songwriting in accepting visual impairments
2023
Language
English
Source / Publisher
ArtEZ

This story explores the research of Jorien Habing, a master’s student in Music Therapy at the ArtEZ, University of the Arts in Netherlands, who is one of the few music therapists in the Netherlands working with people with visual impairments. She explains: "Music therapy plays a role in facilitating the acceptance process of blindness." For her final research, Jorien examined the role of songwriting to help individuals in this new target population adjust to living with visual impairment.

The spiritual meaning of pre-loss music therapy to bereaved caregivers of advanced cancer patients
2009
Author
Lucanne Magill
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Palliative and Supportive Care

The aim of this study was to learn how music therapy sessions, held prior to the death of a loved one, impact spirituality in surviving caregivers of advanced cancer patients. Pre-loss music therapy can potentially assist caregivers during times of bereavement, as they retain memories of joy and empowerment, rather than memories of pain and distress, and find meaning through transcendence.

The Transformative Thread of Music Therapy
2022
Author
Chiltern Music Therapy
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Chiltern Music Therapy

This film shares the story of three people who have been supported through the power of music.
Music therapy helps people of all ages find their voice. Music therapy is unique in connecting at an emotional level, while improving speech, movement and learning skills.

The use of group drumming-based music therapy with male adolescents in a school violence prevention program in Korea: A pilot study
2022
Author
Eun Sil Suh
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Psychology of Music

This study investigated how a drumming experience influences students’ aggression and narrative experience as related to school violence. Participants were 15- to 16-year-old students from two classes in a men’s high school in a Southeastern city in Korea. The qualitative data indicated that group drumming may enhance self-esteem, assertiveness, emotional expression, anger management skills, cooperation, feelings of unity, empathy, and active listening skills.

The Use of Music in the Treatment and Management of Serious Mental Illness: A Global Scoping Review of the Literature
2021
Author
Tasha L. Golden, Stacey Springs, Hannah J. Kimmel, Sonakshi Gupta, Alyssa Tiedemann et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Frontiers in Psychology

L’objectif de cette étude de portée était d’identifier les types et la quantité de recherches à l’intersection de la musique et des maladies mentales sérieuses (MMS), documenter les manques de preuves et les opportunités de recherche, et générer des recommandations pour améliorer la recherche et la pratique. Cinq recommandations détaillées sont offertes afin de supporter le partage et le développement d’informations à travers les disciplines. 

The use of music therapy to address psychosocial needs of informal Caregivers: An Integrative Review
2023
Author
Adrienne C. Steiner-Brett
Language
English
Source / Publisher
The Arts in Psychotherapy

The purpose of this investigation was to systematically review and analyze the existent music therapy literature addressing psychosocial needs of informal caregivers. Three categories were developed to sort and synthesize the literature including articles with interventions targeting joint informal caregiver (ICV) and care receiver (CR) participation, ICG specific participation, and CR specific participation. Most studies utilized an experimental design and incorporated a variety of active music therapy techniques in a group format or songwriting.

Therabeat: Music Therapy for Kids
2015
Language
English
Source / Publisher
CNN

This video provides music therapy live footage and testimonials of its impact in the life of children and their parents. It documents music therapy with young children within a developmental approach. 
It documents the approach and the work of Jennifer Puckett, MT-BC.

To the beat of music therapy at the MGH
2019
Language
French
Source / Publisher
McGill University Health Centre

This article describes music therapy services offered at the Adult Psychiatry Department of the Montreal General Hospital.

Trish MacAulay, certified music therapist, shares her story
2022
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Music Therapy Fund
Trish MacAulay, a certified music therapist and registered psychotherapist, shares a music therapy story and imagines the possibilities for music therapy.Trish's client was working on self-acceptance and self-love while processing that he was gay. Watch the full video to learn how she helped him experience, express and integrate his emotions through lyric analysis.  Imagine if everyone experiencing mental health challenges could access music therapy!
University of Toronto - Masters in Applied Music and Health
Language
English
Source / Publisher
University of Toronto

Located in Toronto, Ontario, University of Toronto's Faculty of Music offers the Masters program in Applied Music and Health, approved by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. 

To read the description of the MMus program in Applied Music and Health, choose "Music and Health - Applied" and "MMus in Applied Music and Health" from the drop down menus at the top of the page. 

University of Toronto - PhD in Music and Health Sciences
Language
English
Source / Publisher
University of Toronto

Located in Toronto, Ontario, University of Toronto's Faculty of Music offers the PhD program in Music and Health Sciences.