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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55 results
New resource helps create intergenerational connections through music therapy
2021
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Schlegel- UW Research Institute for Aging

This article describes the Intergenerational Jamboree music therapy intervention. The benefits for yound children and older adults are outlined, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. A complete guide is provided for music therapists who wish to implement the Jamboree in their community. 

Opera legend Renee Fleming teams up with Dr. Francis Collins to study how music can improve health
2024
Language
English
Source / Publisher
PBS News Hour

In this news report, giants in their fields of music and science, soprano Renee Fleming and phyician and geneticist Francis Collins, are merging their knowledge to propel advancements in body and mind. Recent discoveries are shared. A recent international gathering of researchers, therapists and artists took stock of what is known and what is yet to be discovered. 

ParkinSong Online: protocol for a telehealth feasibility study of therapeutic group singing for people with Parkinson’s disease
2021
Author
Jeanette Tamplin, Meg E Morris, Felicity A Baker, Tanara Vieira Sousa et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
BMJ Open

The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of an online mode of delivery for a Parkinson’s singing intervention (ParkinSong) as well as remote data collection procedures. This mode of delivery aims to increase the accessibility of singing interventions.

ParkinSong: A Controlled Trial of Singing-Based Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
2019
Author
Jeanette Tamplin, Meg E. Morris and Adam P. Vogel
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of an interdisciplinary singing-based therapeutic intervention (ParkinSong) on voice and communication in people with Parkinson’s disease. The results show that ParkinSong is an engaging intervention with the potential to increase loudness and respiratory function in people with mild to moderately severe PD.

Perceptions of family members of palliative medicine and hospice patients who experienced music therapy
2017
Author
Lisa M. Gallagher, Ruth Lagman, Debbie Bates, Melissa Edsall, et. al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Supportive Care in Cancer

The primary purpose of this study was to understand family members’ perceptions of music therapy experienced by a relative in palliative medicine or hospice. Patient self-reported scales and music therapist assessment of change were also investigated. Patients reported statistically significant improvement in pain, depression, distress, and mood scores. Family members of patients in palliative medicine and hospice settings reported an immediate positive impact of music therapy on the patient and on themselves.

Role of Music Therapy in Palliative Care—Methods and Techniques
2024
Author
Ramesh Bhuvaneswari
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Palliative Care

This paper hopes to provide an insight into the role of music therapy as a Salutogenic approach within a biopsychosocial framework and its need to be accepted in the Indian context. Music therapy may play the role with preventative and curative periods of treatment, as well as support to cope and acceptance toward the inevitable for the patient as well for the caregivers. Music therapy provides a biopsychosocial and holistic approach to palliative care.

Striking a Chord - Music Therapy at St. Martha's Hospital
2015
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nova Scotia Health Authority Page

 Since late 2013, music therapist Tom Curry has provided individual and group based music therapy services at St. Martha's Regional in Antigonish, arranged through the Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!) community collaboration.

Study finds music therapy brings effective pain relief for sickle cell patients
2018
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Medical Xpress

This is a summary of a study, which reveals promising findings for the application of improvisational music therapy in assuaging the multidimensional acute pain of adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). 

The effects of music therapy on engagement in family caregiver and care receiver couples with dementia
2002
Author
Alicia Ann Clair
Language
English
Source / Publisher
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caregiver-implemented music applications on engagement with their care receivers. Music therapy applications are effective in increasing mutual engagement in couples with dementia, and caregivers can effectively facilitate the engagement using music. Furthermore, once the engagement is established, it carries over into visitation without music.

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.