Abstract Music therapy has a growing presence in medical settings, however there is little research available exploring hospital staff’s perceptions of services. This study aimed to address the following questions: (1) What is staff’s awareness of music therapy as a profession and as a service at the participating hospital?, (2) What is the perceived clinical value music therapy brings to the organization?, (3) Were staff perspectives changed after a year of targeted advocacy and programming, referred to as “Decade of Song?” Researchers sought to address this gap by conducting a pre-post survey evaluating the staff perceptions of music therapy at a large pediatric institution after a year of targeted advocacy. The surveys, referred to as MTS1 and MTS2 throughout the paper, were conducted utilizing an online platform. MTS1 was administered before the implementation of the “Decade of Song” initiative; MTS2 was administered after the completion of the initiative. The research yielded over 657 unique responses to questions regarding staff understanding of who benefits from music therapy, experience with music therapy at the participating institution, and the most meaningful interactions staff have observed of music therapy. Qualitative and quantitative data, including descriptive statistics and evaluation via a sentiment analysis algorithm made for social media data, indicating an overall positive perception of music therapy. This mixed-methods manuscript yielded overall positive regard of music therapy from the vantage point of colleagues working alongside members in the profession. Researchers offer suggestions and continued opportunities to advocate and educate hospital staff.

Abstract Some colleges and universities with music therapy (MT) programs maintain on-campus music therapy clinics (OCMTC). Understanding how MT programs manage and operate their OCMTC may help enhance clinical training and increase access for service users in local communities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how academic programs manage and operate OCMTC. We designed an online survey divided into 3 categories: administrative (29 items), student involvement (7 items), and service users (11 items). We sent surveys to 89 MT program directors at approved academic institutions in the US. 38 participants responded to the survey, resulting in a 43% return rate. 24 respondents indicated they had an OCMTC and 2 indicated their OCMTC had closed. Respondents described an organized business approach and indicated their OCMTC provided individual and group MT sessions to a mean 45.60 (SD = 33.04) service users each week. Respondents reported a diverse clientele with the autistic community (94.12%) being the most commonly served. Nearly half of respondents used their OCMTC for student practica experiences and recruiting prospective students. Some programs integrated their OCMTC into academic coursework and class lectures. Limitations of the study and suggestions for developing and sustaining OCMTC are provided. Future research is warranted to understand how academic programs use OCMTC to prepare students and serve their communities.

Abstract The partnership between music therapy and speech-language pathology is gaining recognition as an effective approach in the rehabilitation of young children with acquired communication impairments (ACIs). Yet, there remains a notable gap in understanding the distinctive contributions and challenges inherent in this collaborative practice. This study explored the perspectives of music therapists (MTs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) regarding the unique role of this collaborative effort, the elements of successful collaboration, and the methods implemented by clinicians to evaluate outcomes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine pairs of MTs and SLPs in rehabilitation facilities across seven countries. These interviews were analyzed thematically using Van Manen’s approach to hermeneutic phenomenology. Three themes arose from the data: (a) the role of collaborative music therapy and speech-language pathology, (b) building blocks of successful collaboration, and (c) evaluating collaborative practices. This collaboration fosters a unified strategy aimed at achieving shared language and communication goals. By combining their distinct expertise, MTs and SLPs can address the complex and varied needs of children with ACIs more effectively. However, further research is essential to comprehensively understand the functional outcomes arising from such collaborative endeavors in pediatric ACIs. This is crucial for validating the efficacy and significance of this approach in bolstering language and communication skills and advocating for its wider integration within rehabilitation services.

Abstract Music therapists may use auditory cueing to facilitate movement exercises when working on motor goals with adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is minimal research, however, comparing the effects of different auditory cueing techniques on the kinematic parameters of movements in adults with PD. The purpose of this exploratory study was to compare how rhythmic and sonified musical cues impact the smoothness and path variance of a repetitive, volitional arm movement in adults with PD. Seven adults with PD and 10 neurotypical adults completed 3 trials of a repetitive arm-reaching task in each of the 3 auditory cueing conditions. The position of each participant’s wrist was recorded in 3 dimensions using an infrared motion capture system. Data from the motion capture system were processed for normalized jerk (NJ) and spatiotemporal index (STI). No significant differences in STI or NJ were observed between groups in the no cueing condition. Repeated measures analyses revealed no significant differences in NJ or STI for the PD group across conditions. Participant-level analysis of the PD group revealed a trend of less efficient movement performance in the rhythmic cueing condition and improved movement performance in the sonified cueing condition. These findings warrant further research to inform music therapists’ use of auditory-motor cueing.

Journal Article Music as Care: Artistry in the Hospital Environment Get access S. A. Hoover( 2021). Music as care: artistry in the hospital environment. London and New York: Routledge. 142 pages. $64.95. Hardback, $22.95 Paperback. ISBN: 9780367408770 Vineet Gairola, DCMH Vineet Gairola, DCMH Doctoral Scholar of Psychology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Address correspondence concerning this article to VINEET GAIROLA, DCMH, 702, KM-64, Jaypee Kosmos, Noida Sector 134, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201304, India. E-mail: vineetworkz@gmail.com, la21resch01001@iith.ac.in. Phone: +91-9711880811. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2918-8305 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Music Therapy Perspectives, miad030, https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miad030 Published: 25 December 2023

Abstract This pilot project presents the results of a program aimed at studying the effectiveness of an online music therapy intervention to contribute and promote the autonomy and integral well-being of people living with dementia (PLD) and their family caregivers (FC) within the framework of Person-Centered Care. In addition, it aims to evaluate the impact of this intervention in selected areas of PLD and on their neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as the caregivers’ stress-related symptoms. The program was carried out with 13 families associated with 3 Alzheimer’s Family Associations of Catalonia (Spain). The intervention consisted of three online sessions, in a period of 3 months. It was addressed to FC and PLD with the key participation of three volunteers recruited by each of the Alzheimer Association for this purpose. The volunteers accompanied and gave in person support to each family during the online sessions and maintained contact on a weekly basis with the families throughout all the process. The music therapists developed personalized music resources for each family to use at home as often as possible and implemented the three online sessions to evaluate and modify the resources as needed. The results of the Neuropsychological Inventory show pre–posttest improvements in apathy, irritability, and agitation in the PLD and a decrease in the caregivers’ perceived stress for each of these challenging behaviors. Also, the caregivers perceived the positive impact of the program in several areas through the Impact Areas Questionnaire, with the highest being the facilitation of communication, offering distraction/entertainment, and providing a positive/creative experience. These results are discussed, and suggestions for future improvements to the program are included.

Abstract ABSTRACT: Given the limited literature on the specific termination practices of music therapists in multiple clinical settings, clinicians were asked to participate in open-ended interviews to address the following research questions: What are the current termination practices of music therapists? What types of termination practices might they describe? and What processes do they move through in their termination practices? Thematic analysis of the interview data was used to identify several themes, one of which is described in the present paper: clinical intentions. Four clinical intentions are described in the results: preparing the person for termination, considering the person’s context, framing the therapeutic structure, and implementing the termination process. Comparison of the results to the termination-related music therapy literature showed that general guidelines for termination are not universally applicable. A model for self/peer-supervision and decision-making for termination was presented for three purposes: (a) to provide an approach for students and clinicians to consider the specific termination-related circumstances in which they find themselves, (b) to provide an approach for them to consider how they might most effectively attend to the needs of the persons they serve, and (c) to provide an approach for them to consider their own needs for self-care.

Abstract Music therapists practice from different clinical approaches; however, these approaches have not been compared in a research study. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to examine differences in behaviors for one participant on the autism spectrum and their therapist practicing from two different clinical approaches. We examined five videos where treatment was delivered in a neuroscience-informed approach and five videos in a DIRFloortime®-informed approach. We used observational behavioral coding for three nonmusical social skill behaviors, three musical social skill behaviors, and four therapist behaviors. We also examined the presence of critical elements of each approach within the videos. Results indicated that the therapist overall showed the critical elements for each approach within the examined videos. Targeted participant social behaviors were present in each of the approaches; however, the manner in which they were facilitated was different. Descriptive statistics and visual analysis were used to show similarities and differences between the approaches. Further studies are needed to explore different approaches in music therapy clinical practice.

Abstract Sleep has an essential role in the health, wellbeing, and ability to learn of undergraduate college and university students (UCUS). Due to high credit loads, the music curriculum, and music therapy competencies, music therapy students may experience difficulties obtaining adequate sleep. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand factors that enable or inhibit sleep in undergraduate music therapy students. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 junior and senior level music therapy UCUS at public institutions in the United States. We used an inductive approach to thematic analysis to analyze data and incorporated member checking and trustworthiness to clarify and verify the results. We identified three themes (supported by seven subthemes) as factors that impacted the sleep of undergraduate music therapy students: (a) academic schedule and expected time commitment; (b) intrinsic motivation to become better student music therapists; and (c) wellness-based education and personal factors. The results of this study provide insight into the various factors that might adversely affect sleep in undergraduate music therapy students and have consequences on their health, wellbeing, and learning. Implications for students and educators, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Abstract The 10 authors contributing to this reflective essay are comprised of music therapy practitioners, academics, and students with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, or/and chronic physical and mental health conditions. We will discuss the impact of ableism in our music therapy work, both for participants and for music therapists. Beyond outright discrimination of people with disability, ableism is typically linked to an agenda to normalize and cure. In contrast, music therapists working from a position of post-ableist music therapy seek to collaboratively provide conditions and musical experiences that are less disabling and restrictive through addressing barriers and facilitating connections. We will discuss how including post-ableist perspectives might also create safer spaces for music therapists with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, and/or chronic physical and mental health conditions. In this critical commentary, we wish to move from a deficit understanding of therapists with lived experience that is often implicit in codes of ethics and standards of practice, to one that celebrates the richness and knowledge that our experience brings. To embed post-ableist perspectives into our profession at all levels, we will discuss the implications for student training and supervision when accessibility is centered in practicum and classroom learning activities. In conclusion, we aim to make apparent the fact that therapists can and do come in all forms and with all backgrounds and that recognizing health diversity in our profession benefits us all.