Resources & references

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 an article exploring an online volunteer music therapy project offering support to frontline healthcare workers and their children during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations for future practice in crisis intervention for music therapists is also discussed.

Read an article about the impact of sociodemographic risk on the reported benefits of a specific music therapy intervention, active music engagement (AME), for families with children undergoing treatment for cancer. Results suggested that families with higher risk experienced more benefits from AME than families with lower risk.

This study examines the uniquely situated characteristics of music therapists’ musicianship. Findings have significant implications for music therapy education and training and invite careful re-evaluation of musicianship competencies identified by the American Music Therapy Association and National Association of Schools of Music.

Click here to read a summary of this study.

Music therapists Antoni Aceves, Joel Olivé, and Rolando Benenzon discuss what music therapy is, its potential applications, and its therapeutic benefits across diverse populations.

This study aimed to co-design an international best practice agenda for research into music therapy for informal carers of patients pre- and post-death bereavement. Results show that the effectiveness of music therapy in supporting informal carers across the bereavement continuum should be prioritised. This should be done using a mixed methods design to draw on the strengths of different methodological approaches to building the evidence base. It should involve service users throughout.

Read an article seeking to develop a music therapy assessment tool to meet the unique needs of individuals with severe to profound multiple disabilities. The resulting tool was deemed impractical for use, and suggestions for future research discusses the development of guidelines for working with this population, rather than a specific tool.

Music therapy is used to help autistic children address develpmental goals. Watch registered music therapists lead an individual session with a child using instrument playing, improvisation, and singing to enhance communication and language development.

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.

The purpose of this study was to design and pilot a music therapy-driven grief processing assessment instrument with bereaved adolescents receiving group songwriting interventions. Grief process areas were developed through a descriptive analysis of a total of 123 songs previously written by bereaved adolescents who received weekly music therapy and grief counselling over a period of 36 months. 

In this video produced by Shaw TV, Jennifer Buchanan of JB Music Therapy demonstrates the effectiveness and impact of music therapy on a 97 year old war veteran who has cognitive impairments due to dementia.

Watch how certified music therapist Catherine Vesic helps Sam learn to use his voice to express himself and connect with the adults around him.