Benefits of Music Therapy

Music therapy can address a plethora of needs spanning various domains of functioning. By meeting specific therapeutic needs through individualised interventions, music therapy can contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing and improved quality of life for individuals of all ages and abilities. Another great advantage of music therapy interventions is that they tend to have no adverse side effects.

Music therapy has been found to improve mood, reduce anxiety, agitation, and depressive symptoms, increase self-esteem, and improve cognitive abilities e.g. attention and memory for varied conditions. Using music in a targeted way is a powerful way to drive brain plasticity. This is possible because music is a multi-sensory agent of arousal that activates diffuse parts of the brain, and can induce neural changes and link brain regions via music-making. Music’s ability to evoke emotional responses and facilitate emotional expression and even shift mood states is well-documented. Music is “frequently accompanied by profound emotions… joy, happiness, bitter-sweet sadness or even … overwhelming peak experiences” (Altenmüller & Schlaug, 2013, p. 5).

For individuals with acquired brain injury and neurological conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson's and Huntington’s disease, music therapy interventions activate attention, improve memory, “reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills” (Thaut & McIntosh, 2010, n.p.), decrease neglect (Hommel et al., 1990), and improve mood (Nayak, Wheeler, Shiflett, & Agostinelli, 2000).

Particularly for older adults with dementia (including Alzheimer’s), music therapy has been found to improve mood, decrease agitation and aggressive behaviour (Wall & Duffy, 2010; Guetin et al., 2009), and significantly ameliorates specific Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) (i.e., “delusions, agitation, anxiety, apathy, irritability, aberrant motor activity, and night-time disturbances”) (Raglio et al., 2015, p. 158). Music therapy not only reduces agitation disruptiveness, it also prevents medication increases in people with dementia (Ridder, Stige, Qvale, & Gold, 2013).

Evidence shows that the overall effect for music therapy for serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia is positive, when used as an addition to standard care (Geretsegger et al., 2017). Similarly, individuals with depression benefit from music therapy by decreasing anxiety levels and improving the functioning of depressed individuals (Aalbers et al., 2017).

In children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), music therapy interventions have been found to reduce autism severity and improve quality of life (Geretsegger et al., 2017, 2022). Moreover, music therapy facilitates attention (Kim, Wigram & Gold, 2008; LaGasse, 2014), and supports sensory integration (Berger, 2002). 

Music therapy has been found to have significant benefits for motor skills in individuals with a range of conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

Significant improvements in motor coordination and movement speed for upper extremity, as well as improved gait, balance, and overall functional mobility have been reported in individuals with Parkinson's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions (Machado Sotomayor, Arufe-Giráldez, Ruíz-Rico, & Navarro-Patón, 2021; Magee, Clark, Tamplin, & Bradt, 2017; Thaut & Abiru, 2010; Thaut & Hoemberg, 2014; Altenmüller & Schlaug, 2015).

In children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), music therapy applications can enhance gross motor skills, coordination, and balance. In particular, individuals with cerebral palsy improved their hand motor skills (both gross and fine) and grip strength through active music therapy interventions (Dogruoz Karatekin & Icagasioglu, 2021).

Pain management, a common and debilitating symptom, can lead to improved outcomes in physical functioning. There is extensive music therapy evidence in pain relief in varied applications, from burns to rehabilitation (Redding et al., 2016).

Music therapy has been found to have significant benefits for communication skills in individuals with a range of conditions, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specifically, studies have shown that music therapy interventions can improve speech production and intelligibility, as well as increase respiratory function, vocal intensity, fluency, and verbalization in these populations (Altenmüller, & Schlaug, 2013; Machado Sotomayor, Arufe-Giráldez, Ruíz-Rico, & Navarro-Patón, 2021; Pacchetti et al., 2000).

Additionally, music therapy has been shown to improve social communication and interaction skills, such as turn-taking and joint attention, in children with ASD (Geretsegger et al., 2017; LaGasse, 2014).

Music therapy can provide a safe and creative space for individuals to express themselves, connect with others, and develop or maintain social skills. Research continues to point to the positive impact of music therapy on the social wellbeing of individuals with a range of diagnoses, including Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), dementia and mental health challenges.

Through music therapy interventions, social skills such as turn-taking and making eye contact can be significantly improved in children and adolescents with social deficits (Gooding, 2011; Kim, Wigram, & Gold, 2018).

Music therapy can also be effective in promoting social interaction in older adults with dementia (Raglio et al., 2015; Ridder et al., 2013). Singing and playing music together can provide opportunities for socialisation, reminiscence, and emotional expression, enhancing social connectedness and quality of life for individuals with dementia (Guetin et al., 2009). Additionally, social interaction is improved with music therapy after traumatic brain injury or stroke (Nayak, Wheeler, Shiflett, & Agostinelli, 2000).

Overall, music therapy can be a powerful tool for improving (or maintaining, where applicable) functioning in individuals with a range of conditions (link to conditions/who may benefit). The music therapist uses evidence-based interventions to help my clients achieve their goals in the various domains.

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