MTRB Podcast #2

We discuss three articles, here are the citations below. We also recommend another music therapy podcast, called The Roundtable, put together by some friends of ours. We finish up by previewing the International Conference of Music Perception and Cognition that we will both attend next week in Seattle, WA, USA. Blythe is presenting on neurologic music therapy and I have NO obligations/committees, etc. so I can attend whatever I want (or throw fish at a market or visit the Jimi Hendrix museum). We’ll tweet a hashtag for all of our tweets from the ICMPC conference soon as well.

1. Reichow, B. & Volkmar, F.R. (2010). Social skills interventions for individuals with autism: Evaluation for evidence-based practices within a best evidence synthesis framework. Journal of Autism and other Developmental Disorders, 40, 149-166.

2. Kim, J., Wigram, T., & Gold, C. (2008). The effects of improvisational music therapy on joint attention behaviors in autistic children: A randomized controlled study. Journal of Autism and other Developmental Disorders, 38, 1758-1766.

3. Pietschnig, J., Voracek, M., & Formann, A.K. (2010). Mozart effect-Schmozart effect: A meta-analysis. Intelligence, 38, 314-323.

MT for Agitation in Older Adults with Dementia

As mentioned in recent Music Therapy Research Blog (MTRB) post, there has been an heightened focus on research for older adult populations, in part due to the impending increase in the number of older adults. In this MTRB mash-up we will take a look at current research in music therapy for agitation in older adults with dementia. Continue reading →

Therapy Moment: Summer Treatment Camps!

Some of you may have noticed an absence in the stream of research reviews over the past week and a half.  Although I don’t want to make this blog about me and what I’m doing, experiences from the past week.5 are driving me to do just that. Last week I was at Kris’ Camp and I’d like to tell you about the experience, since my 1st camp changed the way I practice music therapy. Continue reading →

MT for Speech in Children with Speech Delay

Speech and language skills are crucial in development.  A child’s communication abilities allow them to express their wants/need, develop relationships, and interact with their environment. A recent study looked at the effect of music therapy on the language skills of children with speech and language delay. Continue reading →

Systematic Review Supports MT for Dementia

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 →

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 →