Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Music Therapy: Bettering Lives One Note at a Time

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Creativity and Innovation Among Science and Art

Abstract

The present chapter discusses the field of music therapy and the benefits that individuals of all ages and levels of functioning obtain from participating in music therapy sessions. A literature review pertaining to music therapy with the clinical populations of oncology , mental health , gerontology, medical/surgical , and developmentally disabled was presented. Music therapy is an effective adjunct therapeutic modality that can support clients in achieving goals of a cognitive, physical, emotional, and social nature. Music therapy professionals are highly skilled clinicians trained in the areas of general music, psychology, and therapeutic principles. Their broad education supports them in designing unique and creative music-based interventions. While music therapists view the profession as a dynamic, therapeutic process consisting of interactions among the music, therapist, and client, it is impossible to deny the intrinsic qualities of music and its benefits upon the human spirit. The present chapter ends with a discussion regarding the use of music in our personal lives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aigen, K., Miller, C. K., Kim, Y., Pasiali, V., Kwak, E., & Tague, D. B. (2004). Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. In A. A. Darrow (Ed.), Introduction to approaches in music therapy (pp. 63–77). Silver Spring: The American Music Therapy Association Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alzheimer’s Association. (2012). What we know today about alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Retrieved on December 2, 2012 from http://www.alz.org/research/science/alzheimers_research.asp.

  • American Music Therapy Association. (2006). A Career in Music Therapy. Retrieved January 5, 2012 from http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/Career_Brochure_7-29-11.pdf.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-IV-TR. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, M., & Sigafoos, J. (1998). Effects of social versus musical antecedents on communication responsiveness in five children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Music Therapy, 35(2), 88–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brotons, M., & Kroger, S. M. (2000). The impact of music therapy on language functioning in dementia. Journal of Music Therapy, 37(3), 183–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buday, E. M. (1995). The effects of signed and spoken words taught with music on sign and speech imitation by children with autism. Journal of Music Therapy, 32(3), 189–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, D., Sledge, R., Fuller, L., Daggy, J., & Monahan, P. (2005). Cancer patients’ interest and preferences for music therapy. Journal of Music Therapy, 42(3), 185–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruscia, K. E. (1998). Defining music therapy. Gilsum: Barcelona Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Certification Board for Music Therapists. (2011). About CBMT. Retrieved June 24, 2012 from http://www.cbmt.org/.

  • Charlesworth, E. A., & Nathan, R. G. (1987). Stress management. London: Corgi Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherry, H., & Pallin, I. M. (1948). Music as a supplement in nitrous oxide oxygen anesthesia. Anesthesiology, 9, 391–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chuang, C., Han, W., Li, P., & Young, S. (2010). Effects of music therapy on subjective sensations and heart rate variability in treated cancer survivors: A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 18(5), 224–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, M. E., Lipe, A. W., & Bilbrey, M. (1998). Use of music to decrease aggressive behaviors in people with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 24(7), 10–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Claussen, D., & Thaut, M. (1997). Music as a mnemonic device for children with learning disabilities. Canadian Journal of Music Therapy, 5, 55–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, W., Gfeller, K., & Thaut, M. (1999). An introduction to music therapy: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, G., Neale, J., & Kring, A. (2004). Abnormal psychology (9th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLoach Walworth, D. (2005). Procedural-support music therapy in the healthcare setting: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 20(4), 276–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, D. S., & Brighouse, G. (1952). Effects of music on respiration and heart rate. American Journal of Psychology, 65, 39–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ezzone, S., Baker, C., Rosselet, R., & Terepka, E. (1998). Music as an adjunct to antiemetic therapy. Oncology Nursing Forum, 25(9), 1551–1556.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrer, A. (2007). The effect of live music on decreasing anxiety in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Journal of Music Therapy, 44(3), 242–255.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, L., Lagman, R., Walsh, D., Davis, M., & Legrand, S. (2006). The clinical effect of music therapy in palliative medicine. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 14(8), 859–866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerdner, L. A. (2000). Effects of individualized versus classical “relaxation” music on the frequency of agitation in elderly persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. International Psychogeriatrics, 12(1), 49–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gfeller, K. (1990). Cultural context as it relates to music therapy. In R. Unkefer (Ed.), Music therapy in the treatment of adult mental disorders (pp. 63–69). New York: Schirmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gold, C. (2007). Music therapy improves symptoms in adults hospitalized with schizophrenia. Evidence-based Mental Health, 10, 3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, C., Dahle, T., Heldal, T. O., & Wigram, T. (2006). Music therapy for people with schizophrenia or other psychoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Music Therapy, 20(2), 100–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gold, C., & Wigram, T. (2006). Music therapy for autistic spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanser, S. B., & Thompson, L. W. (1994). Effects of a music therapy strategy on depressed older adults. Journal of Gerentology, 49(6), 265–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hilliard, R. (2003). The effects of music therapy on the quality and length of life of people diagnosed with terminal cancer. Journal of Music Therapy, 40(2), 113–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, S., Good, M., & Zauszniewski, J. (2010). The effectiveness of music in relieving pain in cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(11), 1354–1362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humpal, M. (1991). The effects of an integrated early childhood music program on social interaction among children with handicaps and their typical peers. Journal of Music Therapy, 28, 161–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyde, I. H. (1924). Effects of music upon electrocardiograms and blood pressure. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 7, 213–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locsin, R. (1981). The effect of music on the pain of selected post-operative patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 6, 19–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madsen, C., & Madsen, Ch. (1998). Teaching/discipline. A positive approach for educational development (4th ed.). Raleigh: CPC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madson, A. T., & Silverman, M. J. (2010). The effect of music therapy on relaxation, anxiety, pain perception, and nausea in adult solid organ transplant patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 47(3), 220–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magill, L., Levin, T., & Spodek, L. (2008). One-session music therapy and CBT for critically ill cancer patients. Psychiatric Services, 59(10), 1216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muscular Dystrophy Association. (2011). Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Retrieved on April 26, 2011 from http://www.mdausa.org/disease/dmd.html.

  • National Association for Drama Therapy. (2011). Frequently asked questions about drama therapy. Retrieved on April 27, 2011 from http://www.nadt.org/faqs.htm.

  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2011). Developmental disabilities. Retrieved on April 26, 2011 from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/developmental_disabilities.cfm.

  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2012). The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. Retrieved on December 2, 2012 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml.

  • Noguchi, L. (2006). The effect of music versus non-music on behavioral signs of distress and self-report of pain in pediatric injection patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 43(1), 16–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nordoff, P., & Robbins, C. (1977). Creative music therapy. New York: John Day.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prickett, C. A. (2000). Music therapy for older people: Research comes of age across two decades. In American Music Therapy Association (Ed.), Effectiveness of music therapy procedures: Documentation of research and clinical practice (pp. 297–321). Silver Spring: The American Music Therapy Association Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rickson, D. J. (2006). Instructional and improvisational models of music therapy with adolescents who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A comparison of the effects on motor impulsivity. Journal of Music Therapy, 43(1), 39–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, J. (1999). Art therapy: An introduction. Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, M. (2003). The influence of music on the symptoms of psychosis: A meta-analysis. Journal of Music Therapy, 40(1), 27–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons-Stern, N. R., Budson, A. E., & Ally, B. A. (2010). Music as a memory enhancer in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychologia, 48(10), 3164–3167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Standley, J. M. (1996). A meta-analysis on the effects of music as reinforcement for education/therapy objectives. Journal of Research in Music Education, 44(2), 105–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Standley, J. M., Johnson, C. M., Robb, S. L., Brownell, M. D., & Kim, S. (2004). Behavioral approach to music therapy. In A. A. Darrow (Ed.), Introduction to approaches in music therapy (pp. 103–123). Silver Spring: The American Music Therapy Association Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, D. (2007). Biomedical music therapy. In A. A. Darrow (Ed.), Introduction to approaches in music therapy (pp. 160–174). Silver Spring: The American Music Therapy Association Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobia, D., Shamos, E., Harper, D., Walch, S., & Currie, J. (1999). The benefits of group music at the 1996 music weekend for women with cancer. Journal of Cancer Education: The Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Education, 14(2), 115–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, S. (1996). The effects of relaxation exercises on anxiety levels in psychiatric inpatients. Journal of Holistic Nursing: Official Journal of the American Holistic Nurses’ Association, 14(3), 196–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weeks, B., & Nilsson, U. (2011). Music interventions in patients during coronary angiographic procedures: a randomized controlled study of the effect on patients’ anxiety and well-being. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing: Journal of The Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing of the European Society of Cardiology, 10(2), 88–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiand, N. E. (1997). Relaxation levels achieved by Lamaze-trained pregnant women listening to music and ocean sound tapes. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 6(4), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D., & Hom, C. (1993). Use of melodies as structural prompts for learning and retention of sequential verbal information by preschool students. Journal of Music Therapy, 30(2), 100–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA

    Alejandra J. Ferrer

Authors
  1. Alejandra J. Ferrer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandra J. Ferrer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Blacklick, Ohio, USA

    Christine Charyton

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ferrer, A.J. (2015). Music Therapy: Bettering Lives One Note at a Time. In: Charyton, C. (eds) Creativity and Innovation Among Science and Art. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6624-5_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6624-5_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-6623-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6624-5

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation