According to the United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.8 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use disorder in 2022 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2023). Many music therapists (including some at Central Ohio Music Therapy) work in drug/alcohol rehabilitation facilities or work with people in other settings that have struggled with substance use disorders. How might these music therapists be helping those with substance use disorders? Music can be used for increasing mood, decreasing pain perception, increasing self-confidence, and for a number of other goals, but it also may aid in alleviating psychological symptoms associated with substance use disorders and in…
Music therapy (MT) is often seen as a helpful treatment for young people with mental health issues, but its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings is still uncertain. A recent study examined how effective MT is for children and adolescents in clinical practice, aiming to provide clearer insights into its potential benefits and limitations. I found this study interesting since I work with teens in multiple clinical settings. The study involved 251 children aged 8-16 years from six Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) centers in Northern Ireland. These children had various social, emotional, behavioral, and developmental difficulties. Participants were divided into two groups: one group received 12 weekly sessions…
I recently started working with a number of children on the Autism Spectrum (ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder). I also have a son who is 39, diagnosed years ago with the same diagnosis. I hear more and more individuals say, “I have a _________ (relative – nephew, cousin, niece, etc.) with ASD.” What does this mean? How is that more and more individuals are being diagnosed with this disorder? I also hear parents say, my child is “neuro-divergent.” In the medical community, what are they finding? Back in the late 80’s, my husband and I went through a series of tests with our son to find out that he was…
Being a teenager is tough, especially when school stress piles up. This stress can really affect how teenagers feel about themselves and low self-esteem can make things even harder for them. Feeling bad about themselves can lead to other problems like feeling anxious or sad, however, researchers wanted to see how music therapy could make a difference. Music therapy focuses on the elements and power of music to help reduce stress and boost self-esteem. Researchers examined how music listening could help teenagers feel better about themselves, especially when they’re stressed out about school. They wanted to see if music therapy could improve their self-esteem. They selected 60 teenagers who were…
A stroke can result in a number of effects such as impaired speech, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and impaired cognition. Stroke patients typically work with speech, physical, and occupational therapists, but what about music therapists? A recent article by Tara Rajendran and Martha Summa-Chadwick examined the use of music therapy in neurological rehabilitation, particularly focused on stroke rehabilitation. This article examined the use of music therapy in neurological rehabilitation to discuss the scope and potential of music therapy in stroke recovery. Music is processed in many different areas of the brain rather than predominantly on one side or in a specific area of the brain.…
Singing together can promote positive biopsychosocial outcomes in adults who are dealing with a variety of neurological symptoms and issues. When researching these types of benefits and their outcomes, it is important to collect data that reflects qualitative and quantitative information. Viewing a person’s overall wellbeing and quality of life from a biopsychosocial perspective reinforces that a person’s wellbeing isn’t tied to one factor, like health for example. Music is an excellent medium to facilitate focusing on the whole person; not just the social, biological or psychological domains separately, but all together. This study, published in Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, aims to explore the experiences of participants…
Bjorgvin prison, nestled within Norway’s open woodlands, challenges conventional perceptions of incarceration. Established in 2006 to address long waiting times for sentencing, the prison houses 90 male inmates, each with surprising freedoms, including keys to their own rooms. In this unique environment, music therapy emerges as a powerful force in shaping emotional landscapes. The prison’s music room becomes a “musical emotion zone,” offering a sanctuary for self-expression. Inmates describe their music room as a non-judgmental space where they feel like musicians. This study sheds light on the nuanced role of music therapy in prison settings, emphasizing its potential to create emotional spaces, challenge stereotypes, and foster connections. While acknowledging the…
In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, stress has become an omnipresent companion, affecting our physical and mental well-being. As we search for holistic approaches to manage stress, one avenue that I have a biased preference for, with its ability to soothe the soul and elevate our mood, is the practice of music therapy. Music has the unique ability to stimulate various regions of the brain responsible for emotions, memory, and even physical responses. Listening to or creating music triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, promoting feelings of pleasure and relaxation. In a recent Meta- analysis study (a document summarizing multiple studies) on the…
Music therapy continues to gain acceptance in hospice and palliative care with each passing year. Music therapy is a modality that can work towards improving pain perception, communication and quality of life for terminally ill patients. Additionally, a music therapist can use music to decrease agitation, depression, and disruptive behaviors. The music therapist focuses on using patient preferred music along with their expertise and education to accomplish these goals. Throughout the profession’s growing body of literature, some studies have suggested that music therapy can decrease the use of pain medicine while increasing the effectiveness of hospice team members and other caregivers. Providing patients with care that seeks to improve…
Many people with neurological disorders, like stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, also experience mood disorders and depression. However, these conditions are often not diagnosed or treated adequately, impacting the patients’ recovery, treatment adherence, quality of life, and even mortality risk. There may also be a connection between depression and the development of neurological disorders. Despite the known benefits of music therapy (MT) on various aspects of neurological disorders, there’s a lack of updated information on how music interventions affect mood, emotions, and depression in these patients. This article aimed to review existing studies on musical interventions and their impact on mood and depression in neurological patients. The study…