An Overview of Evidence-Based Support for the Therapeutic Use of Music in Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Music is a modality present in occupational therapy, yet little educational material about music exists within the field. This paper presents a myriad of possibilities for practitioners considering using music, providing a resource of research within and outside the field. Applications are organized around enhancement of occupational performance, utilizing three distinct methods: (1) Music-assisted occupation, (2) Music as occupation, and (3) Music in preparation for occupation. The potential effects of music in the areas of pain/discomfort, movement, emotion, cognition, self-expression/communication, relationships/groups, culture/society and community, and personal meaning/motivation, are discussed in terms of enhancing occupation.

MAMBRA's Impact on IPV Symptoms of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women

“…Music is one of many strategies people use for affect regulation, exploration of life situations, and social context, and to heighten social awareness and critical consciousness (Batt-Rawden, DeNora, & Ruud, 2005;Bonde, 2011;Davis, 1998;DeNora, 2007;MacDonald, 2013;Ruud, 2008Ruud, , 2013Skanland, 2013). Additionally, music activities in groups have potential to foster interaction, enhance socializa-tion, and build a sense of community through shared experiences (Craig, 2008).…”

Hot for Teacher: Using Digital Music to Enhance Students’ Experience in Online Courses

“…Further, as Weinberger (1998) points out, "music offers great opportunities for communication and expression, for creativity and yep it's good for the brain and can enhance learning and intellectual development" (p. 39). It has been linked to memory (e.g., Balch, Bowman, & Mohler, 1992;Hickok, Buchsbaum, Humphries, & Muftuler, 2003;Snyder, 2000), speech and language acquisition (e.g., Hickok et al, 2003), intelligence (e.g., Rauscher, Shaw, & Ky, 1993;Schellenberg, 2005), emotion (e.g., Craig, 2007;Krumhansl, 2002;Sloboda & Juslin, 2001), and identity (e.g., Hargeaves, Miell, & MacDonald, 2002). It has been linked to memory (e.g., Balch, Bowman, & Mohler, 1992;Hickok, Buchsbaum, Humphries, & Muftuler, 2003;Snyder, 2000), speech and language acquisition (e.g., Hickok et al, 2003), intelligence (e.g., Rauscher, Shaw, & Ky, 1993;Schellenberg, 2005), emotion (e.g., Craig, 2007;Krumhansl, 2002;Sloboda & Juslin, 2001), and identity (e.g., Hargeaves, Miell, & MacDonald, 2002).…”

Use of Creative Activities in Occupational Therapy Practice in Sweden

“…Horticultural-based therapy has, for instance, been suggested as an occupation to engage patients suffering from dementia who are difficult to involve in other activities (Jarrot and Gigliotti 2010). Various aspects of music as a therapeutic activity in occupational therapy are suggested as a possibility (Craig 2008), and care singing has been proposed as a therapeutic intervention to accompany daily occupations. Care singing is defined as singing for or together with a patient and has been used in dementia care-enhancing communication and positive emotions during caring activities (Brown et al, 2001).…”