An overview of music therapy research

Abstract: There is a broad literature covering the application of music therapy, but a general absence of valid clinical research material from which substantive conclusions can be drawn. Group creative music therapy in psychiatric hospitals reflects the acceptance of the creative arts therapies themselves in such settings. Receptive taped music, used as an anxiolytic for individual patients, has found favour particularly in coronary care units and in cancer pain care. Music therapy with adults and children is seen as part of a necessary creative arts environment within hospital settings for the management of the mentally handicapped of varying ages. Music therapy is accepted as a valid therapeutic treatment for children.Observations in the realm of psychotherapy highlight a critical feature of music therapy research; well intentioned, and often rigorous work, is spoiled by a lack of research methodology. Music therapy clinical research needs to develop a common methodology such that standard research tools and methods of clinical assessment be developed which can be replicated, which are appropriate to music therapy itself and develop a link with other forms of clinical practice. The research which has been produced is notably lacking in follow-up data, without which it is difficult to make valid statements about clinical value.

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