Category Archives: 2009 Articles

MT for Agitation in Older Adults with Dementia

As mentioned in recent Music Therapy Research Blog (MTRB) post, there has been an heightened focus on research for older adult populations, in part due to the impending increase in the number of older adults. In this MTRB mash-up we will take a look at current research in music therapy for agitation in older adults with dementia. Continue reading →

The Music “Experience” in Autism

As music therapists we use music as a tool for functional improvements in persons who have disabilities. We recognize that music has value outside of “music therapy treatment” in community, recreation, and worship.  Most of us ask our clients about what music therapy listen to; but how often do we stop and ask our clients who have autism “why do you listen to music”? A recent research study did just that. Continue reading →

Music for Cognition: Temporally Sound

As music therapists we often work on cognitive skills including learning, attention, executive function, etc… The music therapy literature on these skills is in its relative infancy, so you won’t find a lot of empirical evidence directly supporting the use of MT for cognition. However, a recent publication provides some interesting information that will make you think. Continue reading →

Mash-up: Singing for Health

Singing is a commonly used tool for meeting non-musical goals in music therapy. We often have people sing for breath support/control, for vocal volume, and for overall respiratory heath. This week I have noticed several articles on the topic of singing for different populations. Find out which ones have found singing to be effective for respiratory functioning in this research mash-up. Continue reading →

Music Training for Linguistic Abilities

In order to present both sides of the music training for speech and reading argument, I thought I’d comment on another study on this topic.  Recent music neuroscience studies have shown that children who are engaged in music are changed by that engagement. For instance, children involved in music programs in school have been shown to have higher standardized test scores (Johnson & Memmot, 2006), children who practice and played piano have higher cortical responses to piano than non-musicians (Pantev et al. 1998), and children trained in music increase gray matter in areas of the motor cortex, auditory cortex, and corpus callosum (Hyde et al. 2009). Continue reading →

Improvisational Music Therapy for Children with Autism

When you think of need areas for children with autism, it is no doubt that emotional expression, social responsiveness, and behavioral/motivational aspects come to mind. Although there are differences between children who have an ASD, these are hallmark characteristics of the neurodevelopmental disorder. In a community that is built on social engagement (from expressing wants/needs to occupational situations) these skills can be essential to independent functioning.  Some new research has begun to show that improvisational music therapy can be beneficial for children with an ASD. Continue reading →

Systematic Review of CAM Treatments

There are countless complementary and alternative medical treatments (CAM) for children with autism – from nutritional supplements to oxygen treatments, there are numerous options for trying to alleviate or improve characteristics of ASD. With all the options out there, what should we say to the parent/administrator who asks about the use of CAM treatments for children with autism? A recent systematic review looked into novel and emerging treatments – with some good news for music therapy.  Continue reading →