Category Archives: Medical

Lullaby for Pain Management in the NICU

By Kimberly Woodman

There has been a substantial amount of research conducted within the last 20 years relating to the use of music within the NICU context, both by music therapists and other medical professionals. Researchers have shown that music may be beneficial for decreasing stress symptoms, crying, and the length of NICU stays. Furthermore, music may be used to increase vital signs, coordinate sucking and feeding behaviors, and weight gain. These outcomes indicate that music therapy may be an incredibly beneficial intervention for premature infants. Continue reading

Music Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia

Neuropsychiatric symptoms that result from dementia can take a great toll on not only the patient, but the patient’s caregivers. In 2015, Hsu et al. conducted a feasibility study investigating the preliminary effects of a five-month music therapy treatment program on neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with a diagnosis of dementia.  The study was carried out in two United Kingdom nursing homes, with one-on-one sessions with a qualified music therapist who was registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Continue reading

MTRB#6: Julian O’Kelly

JulianOKellyWe recorded this podcast on January 15, 2015 (yes, 1/15/15) with a wonderful guest, Dr. Julian O’Kelly. He has worked in neuro-rehabilitation and palliative care as a music therapy clinician, manager, educationalist and researcher for the last fifteen years and regularly presents at international symposia and conferences. In addition to his research work, Julian chairs the scientific committee for the forthcoming international conference at the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability: ‘Music Therapy Advances in Neurodisability II’, and is associate editor of a special research topic for the open access publication ‘Frontiers in Human Neuroscience’ titled ‘Dialogues in music therapy and music neuroscience: collaborative understanding driving clinical advances.’

Publication on music therapy assessment of disorders of consciousness

Frontiers in Neuroscience: “Dialogues”

Neurophysiological and behavioral responses to music therapy (article abstract)

Link to the JISCMAIL MT Neurology Network