Music Therapy News and Research

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"Music Therapy" means the specialized professional, therapeutic use of music in the service to individuals with needs in mental health, physical health, habilitation, rehabilitation, special education, self-care or personal growth.

Music therapy in conjunction with standard rehabilitation benefits COPD patients

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other chronic respiratory disorders who received music therapy in conjunction with standard rehabilitation saw an improvement in symptoms, psychological well-being and quality of life compared to patients receiving rehabilitation alone, according to a new study by researchers at The Louis Armstrong Center of Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI).

24 Dec 2015

Study analyzes effect of music therapy on palliative care patients

Music therapy can enhance terminally ill patients' wellbeing and relaxation. This treatment has been known since the 1970s, but there is little scientific research on the subject. A recent randomized controlled trial by Marco Warth et al. in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2015; 112: 788-94) analyzes the effect of music therapy on palliative care patients.

30 Nov 2015

Music therapy reduces anxiety in women undergoing surgical breast biopsies

A first-of-its-kind study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that music therapy lessened anxiety for women undergoing surgical breast biopsies for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

18 Aug 2015

Study examines link between environmental characteristics and apathy in nursing home residents with dementia

Nursing home residents with dementia are less likely to be apathetic if they live in an appropriately stimulating environment, according to nursing researchers.

12 Jun 2015

Study: Listening to classical music improves activity of genes involved in brain functions

Although listening to music is common in all societies, the biological determinants of listening to music are largely unknown. According to a latest study, listening to classical music enhanced the activity of genes involved in dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic neurotransmission, learning and memory, and down-regulated the genes mediating neurodegeneration.

13 Mar 2015

CHLA pediatric expert answers questions about PTSD

PTSD. Four letters we immediately associate with soldiers and horrific wartime tragedies. But unfortunately, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event—including children with serious medical diagnoses.

23 Feb 2015

Hospice of the Western Reserve honors more than 2,000 veterans in 2014

Americans across the country will observe Veterans Day on November 11, a special day to salute the men and women who have bravely served our country.

4 Nov 2014

Study: Music therapy improves self-esteem, reduces depression in children

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have discovered that music therapy reduces depression in children and adolescents with behavioural and emotional problems.

23 Oct 2014

New developmental music therapy class helps babies to reach their full potential

Lisa Gracey shares a puppet of an orange bear with 11-month-old son Duke, singing 'Old MacDonald had a farm,' encouraging him to be engaged in his music therapy class. He grabs at the soft material and bounces in excitement.

29 Jul 2014

More music therapists needed in psychiatric health care, says researcher

Music can help those without the means to express themselves to communicate. There is a need for more music therapists in psychiatric health care, says researcher Karin Mössler at Uni Research in Bergen, Norway.

1 Jul 2014

Music therapy interventions may provide essential psychosocial support to young patients with cancer

A new study has found that adolescents and young adults undergoing cancer treatment gain coping skills and resilience-related outcomes when they participate in a therapeutic music process that includes writing song lyrics and producing videos.

27 Jan 2014

Landmark study reveals positive effects of music therapy among youth undergoing cancer treatment

A ground-breaking collaborative multi-site study found that teens and young adults undergoing the rigors of stem cell transplantation as part of cancer treatment gain coping skills and resilience-related outcomes when participating with a board certified music therapist in a therapeutic music protocol that includes writing song lyrics and producing videos. s.

27 Jan 2014

Study examines effectiveness of musical therapy for mental health care clients

A randomized controlled study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics has investigated the role of music therapy in the mental health of patients

23 Oct 2013

Psychological interventions reduce deaths, cardiovascular events in patients with heart disease

Psychological interventions halve deaths and cardiovascular events in heart disease patients, according to research from Athens, Greece, presented at the Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2013.

12 Oct 2013

mUsiKcare aims to enhance student training, community engagement through piano classes

Through tickling the ivories a group of adults over the age of 50 at the University of Kentucky are learning ways to enhance their personal relationships and relieve anxiety all while advancing their skills on the piano.

20 Aug 2013

Studies confirm music therapy's positive effects on perceived quality of life

After 35 years as a music therapist, Anci Sandell can now present research findings showing that the therapy methods she uses, increases quality of life for people who are being treated for severe medical or psychosocial conditions.

21 Feb 2013

Study investigates whether music therapy reduces stress in cancer patients

A Saint Louis University Cancer Center pilot study is investigating whether music affects the health of cancer patients by soothing them and making them less anxious.

19 Feb 2013

People with chronic inflammatory conditions may benefit from mindfulness meditation

People suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma - in which psychological stress plays a major role - may benefit from mindfulness meditation techniques, according to a study by University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientists with the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center.

17 Jan 2013

Music therapy can be beneficial to patients before and after surgical procedures

A new study review published by the University of Kentucky found that music therapy can be beneficial to patients before, during and after a surgical procedure and may reduce pain and recovery time.

20 Nov 2012

Tips on safe use of opioids in hospitals

On August 8, The Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Event Alert on the safe use of opioids in hospitals. The Alert discussed the significance of accurate pain assessment and effective pain management plans.

26 Sep 2012