Music therapy

Encyclopedia of Medicine by Kristy J. Layman

Definition

Music therapy is the controlled use of music under the guidance of trained music therapists to help people overcome problematic conditions or behaviors and to achieve therapeutic ends.

Purpose

Music therapy is administered by a music therapist to individuals of all ages who require special services because of behavioral, social, learning, or physical disabilities. Music therapy can be found in hospitals, clinics, day care facilities, schools, community mental health centers, substance abuse facilities, nursing homes, hospices, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, and private practices.

Description

Music therapy is a treatment in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address cognitive, physical, psychological, and social needs in individuals. A qualified music therapist first assesses the strengths and needs of each client and then provides the appropriate treatment, including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. A client's abilities are strengthened and then transferred to other areas of their lives through their musical involvement in a therapeutic context. Research supports the effectiveness of music therapy in improving communication, facilitating movement and overall physical rehabilitation, providing emotional support for clients and their families, motivating people to cope with treatment, and providing an outlet for the expression of feelings. Clients can develop their auditory, visual, motor, communication, social, academic (cognitive), and self-help skills through many different types of music activities.

Music therapy sessions can be conducted in a group setting or in an individual one-on-one setting. The length of the sessions can vary, but are on average 30-60 minutes.

Preparation

A music therapist must prepare and carefully plan in order for music therapy treatment programs and intervention strategies to be effective for clients. The four basic steps for a music therapist to prepare for a new client are: (1) define the client's problem or area of need (assessment); (2) set a therapeutic goal for the client; (3) devise music activities that are related to the goal and appropriate to the client's level of functioning and capacity to respond; and (4) implement the procedure and evaluate the client's responses.

Assessment is the process of determining the client's individual strengths and weaknesses, including any particular problems or areas of need. This information can be obtained by observing the client in music activities that show the client's level of developmental, social, motor, auditory, and communication skills. Following assessment, the music therapist must create therapeutic goals and objectives that state what the client is to accomplish, and what changes in behavior the client will show if the therapy is successful. The final step in preparation for beginning therapy is deciding what types of music activities will be most beneficial in helping the client reach their goals and/or objectives.

Normal results

The client accomplishes the goals and/or objectives outlined by the music therapist.

Additionally, music therapy often elicits changes in non-target behaviors that may be just as significant as those initially sought. In the music therapy literature, positive "side effects" are almost always reported, as a result of the many influences of music. Frequently observed increases which often accompany musical experiences are: motivation to try new things, pride in self, and enhanced fine motor coordination.

Abnormal results

The client's maladaptive conditions and/or behavior patterns do not improve.

Further Reading

For Your Information

Books

• Hanser, S.B. Music Therapist's Handbook. St. Louis, Missouri: Warren H. Green, Inc., 1987, pp. 143-145.
• Peters, J.S. Music Therapy: An Introduction. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1987, pp. 52-57.

  Organizations

• American Music Therapy Association. 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910. (301)-589-3300. Http://www.amta.com/amta/

  Other

• NAMT Member Sourcebook. National Association for Music Therapy, 1996.