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 of MT along with their usual care, while the control group received their usual care. Follow-ups were conducted at 13 and 26 weeks after the start of the study to assess the outcomes.
During the MT sessions, therapists used a technique called “Free Improvisation,” where children were encouraged to create music freely using instruments like guitars, xylophones, keyboards, and drums. This approach aimed to support emotional expression and improve communication skills.
While music therapy didn’t show overall improvement in communication skills for all participants, it did benefit older adolescents in particular. The short-term boost in self-esteem and reduction in depression were promising, though these effects didn’t last over time. This indicates that MT can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan, especially for older teens, but it might need to be supplemented with other ongoing support and interventions.
For me, this supports that music therapy shows potential as a treatment for mental health issues in adolescents, especially those aged 13 and older. However, I know more research is needed to understand how to sustain these benefits over the long term. This study suggests that integrating MT into clinical practice could be beneficial, but it also highlights the need for ongoing efforts to refine and enhance this approach. Continuous evaluation and adaptation of MT programs could help maximize its positive impacts on young people’s mental health.
For more information on music therapy, visit our website at www.centralohiomusictherapy.com or the American Music Therapy Association’s website at www.musictherapy.org.
Porter, S., McConnell, T., McLaughlin, K., Lynn, F., Cardwell, C., Braiden, H.-J., Boylan, J., & Holmes, V. (2017). Music therapy for children and adolescents with behavioural and emotional problems: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(5), 586-594. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12656
Kayla Stubblefield, LPMT, MT-BC
Central Ohio Music Therapy, LLC