A recent research focus has been on degenerative disorders of older adulthood due to the impending growth of this population in the coming years. One area of interest is identifying cost-effective treatments that can help families and individuals cope with dementia. A new study identified three promising non-pharmaceutical treatments, one of which was music therapy. Continue reading
Category Archives: Past Posts
Music Listening in the ICU – Increase in Sedation
The experience of being in the ICU of a hospital could be extreemly stressful for the patient and family. Finding low-cost interventions that can reduce stress could be helpful in these situations. A recent study examined the effect of music listening on stress and anxiety levels in sedated patients who were on mechanical ventilation. Continue reading
Autism and Reward – Neurologically Speaking
Motivation is said to be greatest when driven by reward. When we feel a reward sensation we are more likely to repeat the behavior that lead to reward whether that be social interaction, earning money, response to food, learning, etc… There are known areas of the brain that are involved in reward responses and a recent study attempted to see what type of reward responses were present in children with autism when presented with social and monetary rewards. Continue reading
Music Therapy Promotes Social Responsiveness in Autism
Many music therapists who work with children with autism work on social skills. A lack of social skills is a defining characteristic of autism, displayed by a disinterest in other persons, avoidance of social interaction opportunities, and behaviors related to social avoidance. A new study suggests that social behaviors can be improved with music therapy. Continue reading
The Music “Experience” in Autism
As music therapists we use music as a tool for functional improvements in persons who have disabilities. We recognize that music has value outside of “music therapy treatment” in community, recreation, and worship. Most of us ask our clients about what music therapy listen to; but how often do we stop and ask our clients who have autism “why do you listen to music”? A recent research study did just that. Continue reading
Where’s the evidence? MT for Stroke.
Should we be using music therapy for gait training in persons who have had an acquired brain injury? How about music therapy for arm function, speech production, emotional adjustment? A recent Cochrane Review has shown which of these has more evidence supporting use in clinical practice. Continue reading
Music for Cognition: Temporally Sound
As music therapists we often work on cognitive skills including learning, attention, executive function, etc… The music therapy literature on these skills is in its relative infancy, so you won’t find a lot of empirical evidence directly supporting the use of MT for cognition. However, a recent publication provides some interesting information that will make you think. Continue reading
Mash-up: Singing for Health
Singing is a commonly used tool for meeting non-musical goals in music therapy. We often have people sing for breath support/control, for vocal volume, and for overall respiratory heath. This week I have noticed several articles on the topic of singing for different populations. Find out which ones have found singing to be effective for respiratory functioning in this research mash-up. Continue reading
Stress, asthma, music, & rats.
Most likely you think that there is no relationship between stress, asthma, music, and rats. In most cases you’d probably be right. But recent research has attempted to determine the effect of “music therapy” on stress responses in rats; in this case rats with asthma. Continue reading
Music Therapy Promising for Bereavement
Many music therapists work in medical, hospice, and palliative care settings. Within these setting some clinicians may also work in bereavement, helping families and loved ones with grief processes. A new meta-analysis investigated treatment methods for helping children and adolescents who are in bereaved and indicated music therapy as a promising treatment method. Continue reading