In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.
Music therapists work with individuals with a wide variety of diagnoses, but minimal attention has been paid to informal caregivers caring for adults with these diagnoses. While some evidence for the use of music-based interventions (MBIs) has been presented in primary sources, a synthesis of current literature is needed to inform evidence-based practice. The purpose of this study was to identify what MBIs have been used with informal caregivers, the effects of these interventions, whether the interventions adequately fulfill the personal needs of caregivers as identified in previous literature, and the quality of MBI reporting. Ten studies met the predetermined criteria. Singing and music listening were the most frequently used interventions. Benefits for caregivers include self- and relationship-focused outcomes. The type of benefit (self- or relationship-focused) appears to be related to the participant unit of delivery of the MBI. Future research is necessary to replicate the outcomes of MBIs for informal caregivers reported in this review, and there is a need for increased transparency in reporting.Keywords: family caregivers, informal caregivers, music, music-based intervention
The number of music therapy private practices in the United States is growing. While it is thought that improving business skills can improve business success, it is not clear what business education was received by music therapy business owners (MTBOs). The purpose of this qualitative inquiry was to explore MTBOs business education in the United States and their views on business education for music therapists and music therapy students. Following an interpretivist theoretical framework, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 MTBOs representing all seven regions of the American Music Therapy Association. Using thematic analysis, we created five themes with supporting subthemes. Our findings indicate that the amount of business education participants received as students did not match the amount of business education they perceived necessary to be business owners, and that they sought out additional training from a variety of sources. Participants’ views on music therapy business education and skills important for business ownership in the field of music therapy are explored.
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