[Active music therapy for chronic pain: a prospective study]. The impact of music therapy versus music medicine on psychological outcomes and pain in cancer patients: a mixed methods study Active music therapy and Parkinson's disease: methods. Active Music Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease: An Integrative Method for Motor and Emotional Rehabilitation Individual music therapy for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms for people with dementia and their carers: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study Exploring the effects of music therapy on pediatric pain: phase 1. The effects of music therapy on pain in patients with neuropathic pain. Active versus receptive group music therapy for major depressive disorder-A pilot study. Music therapy CD creation for initial pediatric radiation therapy: a mixed methods analysis. Music Therapy in Palliative Care. The effect of improvisational music therapy on the treatment of depression: protocol for a randomised controlled trial The effects of music therapy on the quality and length of life of people diagnosed with terminal cancer. Active music therapy approach for stroke patients in the post-acute rehabilitation Music as a therapeutic intervention for anxiety in patients receiving radiation therapy. The therapeutic use of music for cancer-related pain. Effect of Active Music Therapy and Individualized Listening to Music on Dementia: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Randomized Controlled Trials in Music Therapy: Guidelines for Design and Implementation.
There are only few publications about the effect of music therapy on pain relief . The intention of this prospect i ve study is to demonstrate the influence of the Nordoff/Robbins method of active music therapy in a group of 12 patients with fibromyalgia , myofascial pain syndromes and polyarthritis on  pain reduction , life quality and coping . The clinical parameters of each patient were related to the observations in the audio- and video-documented music therapy setting s and to the self-reported changes in pain intensity and pain behaviour . There was a significant reduction of pain intensity and pain-related disability in the music group compared to a control group , but no change in the depression and anxiety score . The influence of music therapy could be even better demonstrated in the systematic analysis of the single cases by individual profiles . Active music therapy affects especially the communicative and emotional dimension of chronic pain . Psychophysiological and psychodynamic models are presented to explain the effectiveness of music therapy on pain reduction . Clinical studies on music therapy as well as on other " art therapies " should relate the analysis of clinical parameters to the descriptive-phenomenological documentation of the therapeutic process to demonstrate systematic ally the influence of music and art in the individual case Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of music therapy ( MT ) versus music medicine ( MM ) interventions on psychological outcomes and pain in cancer patients and to enhance underst and ing of patients ’ experiences of these two types of music interventions . Methods This study employed a mixed methods intervention design in which qualitative data were embedded within a r and omized cross-over trial . Thirty-one adult cancer patients participated in two sessions that involved interactive music making with a music therapist ( MT ) and two sessions in which they listened to pre-recorded music without the presence of a therapist ( MM ) . Before and after each session , participants reported on their mood , anxiety , relaxation , and pain by means of visual analogue and numeric rating scales . Thirty participants completed an exit interview . Results The quantitative data suggest that both interventions were equally effective in enhancing target outcomes . However , 77.4 % of participants expressed a preference for MT sessions . The qualitative data indicate that music improves symptom management , embodies hope for survival , and helps connect to a pre-illness self , but may also access memories of loss and trauma . MT sessions helped participants tap into inner re sources such as playfulness and creativity . Interactive music making also allowed for emotional expression . Some participants preferred the familiarity and predictability of listening to pre-recorded music . Conclusions The findings of this study advocate for the use of music in cancer care . Treatment benefits may depend on patient characteristics such as outlook on life and readiness to explore emotions related to the cancer experience Music therapy ( MT ) is an unconventional , multisensorial therapy poorly assessed in medical care but widely used to different ends in a variety of setting s. MT has two branches : active and passive . In active MT the utilisation of instruments is structured to correspond to all sensory organs so as to obtain suitable motor and emotional responses . We conducted a prospect i ve study to evaluate the effects of MT in the neurorehabilitation of patients with Parkinson 's Disease ( PD ) , a common degenerative disorder involving movement and emotional impairment . Sixteen PD patients took part in 13 weekly sessions of MT  each lasting 2 hours . At the beginning and at the end of the session , every 2 weeks , the patients were evaluated by a neurologist , who assessed PD severity with UPDRS , emotional functions with Happiness Measures ( HM ) and quality of life using the Parkinson 's Disease Quality of Life Question naire ( PDQL ) . After every session a significant improvement in motor function , particularly in relation to hypokinesia , was observed both in the overall and in the pre-post session evaluations . HM , UPDRS-ADL and PDQL changes confirmed an improving effect of MT on emotional functions , activities of daily living and quality of life . In conclusion , active MT , operating at a multisensorial level , stimulates motor , affective and behavioural functions . Finally , we propose active MT as new method to include in PD rehabilitation programmes . This article describes the methods adopted during MT sessions with PD patients Background Modern management of Parkinson ’s disease ( PD ) aims to obtain symptom control , to reduce clinical disability , and to improve quality of life . Music acts as a specific stimulus to obtain motor and emotional responses by combining movement and stimulation of different sensory pathways . We explored the efficacy of active music therapy ( MT ) on motor and emotional functions in patients with PD . Methods This prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled , single-blinded study lasted 3 months . It consisted of weekly sessions of MT and physical therapy ( PT ) .  Thirty-two patients with PD , all stable responders to levodopa and in Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 or 3 , were r and omly assigned to two groups of 16 patients each . We assessed severity of PD with the Unified Parkinson ’s Disease Rating Scale , emotional functions with the Happiness Measure , and quality of life using the Parkinson ’s Disease Quality of Life Question naire . MT sessions consisted of choral singing , voice exercise , rhythmic and free body movements , and active music involving collective invention . PT sessions included a series of passive stretching exercises , specific motor tasks , and strategies to improve balance and gait . Results MT had a significant overall effect on bradykinesia as measured by the Unified Parkinson ’s Disease Rating Scale ( p < .034 ) . Post – MT session findings were consistent with motor improvement , especially in bradykinesia items ( p < .0001 ) . Over time , changes on the Happiness Measure confirmed a beneficial effect of MT on emotional functions ( p < .0001 ) . Improvements in activities of daily living and in quality of life were also documented in the MT group ( p < .0001 ) . PT improved rigidity ( p < .0001 ) . Conclusions MT is effective on motor , affective , and behavioral functions . We propose active MT as a new method for inclusion in PD rehabilitation programs Background Previous research highlights the importance of staff involvement in psychosocial interventions targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia . Music therapy has shown potential effects , but it is not clear how this intervention can be programmed to involve care staff within the delivery of patients ’ care . This study reports initial feasibility and outcomes from a five month music therapy programme including weekly individual active music therapy for people with dementia and weekly post-therapy video presentations for their carers in care homes . Methods 17 care home residents and 10 care staff were r and omised to the  music therapy intervention group or st and ard care control group . The cluster r and omised , controlled trial included baseline , 3-month , 5-month and post-intervention 7-month measures of residents ’ symptoms and well-being . Carer-resident interactions were also assessed . Feasibility was based on carers ’ feedback through semi-structured interviews , programme evaluations and track records of the study . Results The music therapy programme appeared to be a practicable and acceptable intervention for care home residents and staff in managing dementia symptoms . Recruitment and retention data indicated feasibility but also challenges . Preliminary outcomes indicated differences in symptoms ( 13.42 , 95 % CI : [ 4.78 to 22.07 ; p = 0.006 ] ) and in levels of wellbeing ( −0.74 , 95 % CI : [ −1.15 to −0.33 ; p = 0.003 ] ) between the two groups , indicating that residents receiving music therapy improved . Staff in the intervention group reported enhanced caregiving techniques as a result of the programme . Conclusion The data supports the value of developing a music therapy programme involving weekly active individual music therapy sessions and music therapist-carer communication . The intervention is feasible with modifications in a more rigorous evaluation of a larger sample size . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov , number NCT01744600 The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety in pediatric burn patients during nursing procedures . Nine subjects were r and omly selected to participate in this study . Qualitative and quantitative data was collected on the patients ' pain , anxiety , heart rate , blood oxygenation , and engagement level through measurement tools and interviews . The results from the qualitative and quantitative data indicated that music therapy reduced pain , anxiety , and behavioral distress . The quantitative data were analyzed and an inverse relationship between engagement in music therapy and lower behavioral distress scores was noted . Additionally , a linear relationship between engagement and behavioral distress was noted ; significance was found but was moderated by the age of the child . However , no significant relationship was found between heart rate and behavioral distress . The results from the qualitative data from the interviews with the patients , parents , nurses and music therapist indicated that music therapy reduced pain and anxiety , and that engagement in music therapy enhanced relaxation . In addition , music therapy positively affected patients ' mood , compliance , and the relaxation level . Finally , parents/guardians and nurses involved in the study reported that music therapy helped them to feel more relaxed as well The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of relaxing music on pain intensity in patients with neuropathic pain . A quasi-experimental study , repeated measures design was used . Thirty patients , aged 18 - 70 years , with neuropathic pain and hospitalized in an Algology clinic were identified as a convenience sample . Participants received 60 minutes of music therapy . Classical Turkish music was played to patients using a media player ( MP3 ) and headphones . Participants had pain scores taken immediately before the intervention and at the 30th and 60th minutes of the intervention . Data were collected over a 6-month period in 2012 . The patients ' mean pain intensity scores were reduced by music , and that decrease was progressive over the 30th and 60th minutes of the intervention , indicating a cumulative dose effect . The results of this study implied that the inclusion of music therapy in the routine care of patients with neuropathic pain could provide nurses with an effective practice for reducing patients ' pain intensity OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of 1 ) active group music therapy and 2 ) receptive group music therapy to group counseling in treatment of major depressive disorder ( MDD ) . DESIGN & SETTING On top of st and ard care , 14 MDD out patients were r and omly assigned to receive 1 ) active group music therapy ( n=5 ) , 2 ) receptive group music therapy ( n=5 ) , or 3 ) group counseling ( n=4 ) . There were 12 one-hour weekly group sessions in each arm . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants were assessed at baseline , 1 month ( after 4 sessions ) , 3 months ( end of interventions ) , and 6 months . Primary outcomes were depressive scores measured by Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale ( MADRS ) Thai version . Secondary outcomes were self-rated depression score and quality of life . RESULTS At 1 month , 3 months , and 6 months , both therapy groups showed statistically non-significant reduction in MADRS Thai scores when compared with the control group ( group counseling ) . The reduction was slightly greater in the active group than the receptive group . Although there were trend toward better outcomes on self-report depression and quality of life , the differences were not statistically significant . CONCLUSION Group music therapy , either active or receptive , is an interesting adjunctive treatment option for out patients with MDD . The receptive group may reach peak therapeutic effect faster , but the active group may have higher peak effect . Group music therapy deserves further comprehensive studies A mixed methods research design was used to investigate the effects of a music therapy CD ( MTCD ) creation intervention on pediatric oncology patients ' distress and coping during their first radiation therapy treatment .  The music therapy method involved children creating a music CD using interactive computer-based music software , which was " remixed " by the music therapist- research er to extend the musical material . Eleven pediatric radiation therapy out patients aged 6 to 13 years were r and omly assigned to either an experimental group , in which they could create a music CD prior to their initial treatment to listen to during radiation therapy , or to a st and ard care group . Quantitative and qualitative analyses generated multiple perceptions from the pediatric patients , parents , radiation therapy staff , and music therapist- research er . Ratings of distress during initial radiation therapy treatment were low for all children . The comparison between the two groups found that 67 % of the children in the st and ard care group used social withdrawal as a coping strategy , compared to 0 % of the children in the music therapy group ; this trend approached significance ( p = 0.076 ) . MTCD creation was a fun , engaging , and developmentally appropriate intervention for pediatric patients , which offered a positive experience and aided their use of effective coping strategies to meet the dem and s of their initial radiation therapy treatment BACKGROUND Music therapy has been used successfully for over 30 years as part of palliative care programs for severely ill patients . There is nonetheless a lack of high- quality studies that would enable an evidence -based evaluation of its psychological and physiological effects . METHODS In a r and omized controlled trial , 84 hospitalized patients in palliative care were assigned to one of two treatment arms -- music therapy and control . The music therapy intervention consisted of two sessions of live music-based relaxation exercises ; the patients in the control group listened to a verbal relaxation exercise . The primary endpoints were self-ratings of relaxation , well-being , and acute pain , assessed using visual analog scales . Heart rate variability and health-related quality of life were considered as secondary outcomes . The primary data analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle . RESULTS Analyses of covariance revealed that music therapy was more effective than the control treatment at promoting relaxation ( F = 13.7 ; p < 0.001 ) and well-being ( F = 6.41 ; p = 0.01 ) . This effect was supported by a significantly greater increase in high-frequency oscillations of the heart rate ( F = 8.13 ; p = 0.01 ) . Music therapy did not differ from control treatment with respect to pain reduction ( F = 0.4 ; p = 0.53 ) , but it led to a significantly greater reduction in the fatigue score on the quality -of-life scale ( F = 4.74 ; p = 0.03 ) . CONCLUSION Music therapy is an effective treatment with a low dropout rate for the promotion of relaxation and well-being in terminally ill persons undergoing palliative care Background Music therapy is frequently offered to individuals suffering from depression . Despite the lack of research into the effects of music therapy on this population , anecdotal evidence suggests that the results are rather promising . The aim of this study is to examine whether improvisational , psychodynamically orientated music therapy in an individual setting helps reduce symptoms of depression and improve other health-related outcomes . In particular , attention will be given to mediator agents , such as musical expression and interaction in the sessions , as well as to the explanatory potential of EEG recordings in investigating emotion related music perception of individuals with depression . Methods 85 adults ( 18–50 years of age ) with depression ( ICD-10 : F 32 or F33 ) will be r and omly assigned to an experimental or a control condition . All participants will receive st and ard care , but the experimental group will be offered biweekly sessions of improvisational music therapy over a period of 3 months . A blind assessor will measure outcomes before testing , after 3 months , and after 6 months . Discussion This study aims to fill a gap in knowledge as to whether active ( improvisational ) music therapy applied to people with depression improves their condition . For the first time in this context , the mediating processes , such as changes in musical expression and interaction during the course of therapy , will be objective ly investigated , and it is expected that the results will provide new insights into these processes . Furthermore , the findings are expected to reveal whether music related emotional experiences , as measured by EEG , can be utilized in assessing a depressive client 's improvement in the therapy . The size and the comprehensiveness of the study are sufficient for generalizing its findings to clinical practice as well as to further music therapy research .Trial registration IS RCT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of music therapy on quality of life , length of life in care , physical status , and relationship of death occurrence to the final music therapy interventions of hospice patients diagnosed with terminal cancer . Subjects were adults who were living in their homes , receiving hospice care , and were diagnosed with terminal cancer . A total of 80 subjects participated in the study and were r and omly assigned to one of two groups : experimental ( routine hospice services and clinical music therapy ) and control ( routine hospice services only ) . Groups were matched on the basis of gender and age . Quality of life was measured by the Hospice Quality of Life Index-Revised ( HQOLI-R ) , a self-report measure given every visit . Functional status of the subjects was assessed by the hospice nurse during every visit using the Palliative Performance Scale . All subjects received at least two visits and quality of life and physical status assessment s. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant difference between groups on self-report quality of life scores for visits one and two . Quality of life was higher for those subjects receiving music therapy , and their quality of life increased over time as they received more music therapy sessions . Subjects in the control group , however , experienced a lower quality of life than those in the experimental group , and without music , their quality of life decreased over time . There were no significant differences in results by age or gender of subjects in either condition . Furthermore , there were no significant differences between groups on physical functioning , length of life , or time of death in relation to the last scheduled visit by the music therapist or counselor . This study provides an overview of hospice/palliative care , explains the role of music therapy in providing care , and establishes clinical guidelines grounded in research for the use of music therapy in improving the quality of life among the terminally ill Guidelines in stroke rehabilitation recommend the use of a multidisciplinary approach . Different approaches and techniques with music are used in the stroke rehabilitation to improve motor and cognitive functions but also psychological outcomes . In this r and omized controlled pilot trial , relational active music therapy approaches were tested in the post-acute phase of disease . Thirty-eight hospitalized patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were recruited and allocated in two groups . The experimental group underwent the st and ard of care ( physiotherapy and occupational therapy daily sessions ) and relational active music therapy treatments . The control group underwent the st and ard of care only .  Motor functions and psychological aspects were assessed before and after treatments . Music therapy process was also evaluated using a specific rating scale . All groups showed a positive trend in quality of life , functional and disability levels , and gross mobility . The experimental group showed a decrease of anxiety and , in particular , of depression ( p = 0.016 ) . In addition , the strength of non-dominant h and ( grip ) significantly increased in the experimental group ( p = 0.041 ) . Music therapy assessment showed a significant improvement over time of non-verbal and sonorous-music relationships . Future studies , including a greater number of patients and follow-up evaluations , are needed to confirm promising results of this study PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES To determine whether music moderates the level of anxiety that patients experience during radiation therapy . DESIGN Experimental , longitudinal , r and om assignment to music or no music therapy . SETTING Urban radiation oncology center in a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in the southeastern United States . SAMPLE Forty-two men ( 19 in the experimental group , 23 in the control group ) aged 39 - 80 years ( 74 % white , 12 % African American , 12 % Hispanic , and 2 % other ) receiving definitive external beam radiation therapy for pelvic or abdominal malignancies . METHODS Patients in the experimental group listened to music of their choice provided via audiotapes and headphones before and during their simulation and daily treatments for the duration of the planned course of therapy . The control group received st and ard care . The  State-Trait Anxiety Inventory  was administered initially to participants in both groups at the time of evaluation ( time 1 ) , post-simulation ( time 2 ) , at the end of the first week ( time 3 ) , at the end of the third week ( time 4 ) , and at the end of the fifth week or end of radiation therapy ( time 5 ) . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLE State anxiety . FINDINGS No significant difference existed between the two groups to suggest that music moderated the level of anxiety during radiotherapy . However , post-hoc analyses identified changes and trends in state anxiety scores , suggesting a possible benefit of music therapy during radiotherapy . CONCLUSIONS Despite a lack of group differences , early intervention with music therapy for patients with high levels of anxiety may be beneficial . IMPLICATION S FOR NURSING PRACTICE Nurses and other clinicians may administer state anxiety scales at the initial visit or prior to pretreatment radiation planning ( simulation ) . Individuals who have high state anxiety scores may receive nursing interventions tailored to reduce anxiety during simulation and the early part of radiotherapy The purpose of this experimental crossover study was to evaluate to what extent the therapeutic use of music would decrease pain in patients with cancer who were receiving scheduled analgesics . Baseline data were collected for three days . Subjects then were assigned r and omly to listen to their preference of seven types of relaxing music or a control ( a 60-cycle hum ) twice daily for three days . Then they crossed over into the alternate group for the next three days . Finally , each subject returned to a follow-up baseline period . Pain , the dependent variable , and mood , which was proposed as an intervening variable , were measured by visual analogue scales . The convenience sample included 15 out patients with cancer , 12 female and 3 male , ages 20 through 87 . Results of the McGill Pain Question naire ( MPQ ) , a reliable and valid multidimensional instrument administered upon entry into the study , indicated that the study sample was comparable to other sample s of patients with cancer who were in pain . There was an inconsistent relation between pain and mood . The effect of the music on pain varied by individual ; 75 % had at least some response and 47 % had a moderate or great response . Multivariate Analysis of Variance ( MANOVA ) indicated a statistically significant decrease in pain from using either the music or sound , but there was no effect on mood . Although the mean percentage of change in pain for music was twice that for sound , the results did not differ statistically . The findings support the use of music as an independent nursing intervention to relieve pain OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of active music therapy ( MT ) and individualized listening to music ( LtM ) on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia ( BPSDs ) in persons with dementia ( PWDs ) . DESIGN R and omized controlled trial . SETTING Nine Italian institutions . PARTICIPANTS Persons with moderate to severe dementia and BPSDs ( N = 120 ) were r and omized to one of three treatments . INTERVENTIONS All groups received st and ard care ( SC ) , and two groups attended 20 individualized MT or LtM sessions , twice a week , in addition to SC . MEASUREMENTS The Neuropsychiatric Inventory ( NPI ) , Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia ( CSDD ) , and Cornell-Brown Scale for Quality of Life in Dementia ( CBS-QoL ) were administered before treatment , after treatment , and at follow-up to evaluate behavioral and psychological outcomes . A specific coding scheme ( Music Therapy Check List-Dementia ) was used to evaluate the MT process . RESULTS Behavioral assessment did not show significant differences between groups . All groups showed a reduction over time in NPI global score ( P ≤ .001 ) , CSDD ( P = .001 ) , and CBS-QoL ( P = .01 ) . The NPI global score fell 28 % in the MT group , 12 % in the LtM group , and 21 % in the SC group at the end of treatment . An exploratory post hoc analysis showed similar within-group improvements for the NPI Delusion , Anxiety , and Disinhibition subscales . In the MT group , communication and relationships between the music therapists and PWDs showed a positive albeit nonsignificant trend during treatment . CONCLUSION The addition of MT or LtM to st and ard care did not have a significant effect on BPSDs in PWDs . Further studies on the effects of the integration of st and ard care with different types of music interventions on BPSD in PWD are warranted BACKGROUND Evidence from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) plays a powerful role in today 's healthcare industry . At the same time , it is important that multiple types of evidence contribute to music therapy 's knowledge base and that the dialogue of clinical effectiveness in music therapy is not dominated by the biomedical hierarchical model of evidence -based practice . Whether or not one agrees with the hierarchical model of evidence in the current healthcare climate , RCTs can contribute important knowledge to our field . Therefore , it is important that music therapists are prepared to design trials that meet current method ological st and ards and , equally important , are able to respond appropriately to those design aspects that may not be feasible in music therapy research . OBJECTIVE To provide practical guidelines to music therapy research ers for the design and implementation of RCTs as well as to enable music therapists to be well-informed consumers of RCT evidence . METHODS This article review s key design aspects of RCTs and discusses how to best implement these st and ards in music therapy trials . A systematic presentation of basic r and omization methods , allocation concealment strategies , issues related to blinding in music therapy trials and strategies for implementation , the use of treatment manuals , types of control groups , outcome selection , and sample size computation is provided . CONCLUSIONS Despite the challenges of meeting all key design dem and s typical of an RCT , it is possible to design rigorous music therapy RCTs that accurately estimate music therapy treatment benefits
Specifically , the research er studied whether ( a ) there was a significant difference in physiological measures , ( b ) there was a significant difference in quality of life , ( c ) there was a significant difference in satisfaction levels , ( d ) there was a significant difference in pain reduction , ( e ) there was a significant difference in procedural length , ( f ) there was a significant difference in length of stay , and ( g ) whether the overall effect size and 95 % confidence level support the recommendation of music therapy in the health care setting .
The purpose of the activity reported in this article was to conduct an exhaustive search of the Journal of  Music Therapy  , filter the articles on the desired parameters , and organize data for analysis and interpretation .