Music Therapy Commons^™

Integrating Music Therapy Into Post-Surgical Care: A Quality Improvement Strategy For Reducing Post-Operative Anxiety, Yosdania Hernandez Benitez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

Integrating Music Therapy into Post-Surgical Care: A Quality Improvement Strategy for Reducing Post-Operative Anxiety

Purpose

This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to reduce postoperative anxiety among adult patients after general surgery in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) by 30% using nurse-led music therapy in an ambulatory surgical center.

Results

Mean VAS-A scores decreased from 6.9 (SD = 0.5) pre-intervention to 4.0 (SD = 0.5) post-intervention, representing a 2.9-point (41.9%) reduction in anxiety and exceeding the project's target of 30%. Nurse adherence to the intervention protocol was 100%, and the mean patient satisfaction score was 4.6/5.0. All 100 patients completed both …

The Implications Of Music Therapy On The Human Mind, Mckayla Martin

Senior Honors Theses

Music therapy harnesses the power of music in clinical settings. It is primarily used to support mental health. Music affects areas such as anxiety, memory, and brain plasticity. Therapeutic music practices can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance specific types of long-term memory, and encourage neuroplasticity. It is an effective, non-invasive treatment for those experiencing mental distress. Ongoing research on the effectiveness of music therapy in clinical settings has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of mental illness, disorders, and disabilities.

Neuroaesthetic Frequency Tuning For Neurodivergent Populations: A Network-Informed Theory Of Music For Emotional Memory And Cognitive Regulation, Piper Hutson, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

Neuroaesthetic frequency tuning posits that deliberate selection of musical parameters can modulate large-scale neural systems to support emotional memory retrieval and cognitive regulation in neurodivergent populations. Drawing on contemporary evidence from network neuroscience, cognitive musicology, and affective science, the article synthesizes how rhythmic, harmonic, and lyrical structures align with Default Mode (DM), fronto-parietal control, salience, motor, and limbic systems, and how these alignments can be targeted to balance internally oriented mentation with task engagement. The theory further integrates autonomic and cellular mechanisms, describing how tempo and spectral energy shift arousal and heart rate variability, and how astrocytic ensembles contribute to …

Queer, Black & Churched: Exploring Black Lgbtq+ Lived Experience And Spirituality Through Free Verse Poetry And Music, Kei Slaughter

Music and Health Case Studies

This arts-based qualitative pilot study explored the lived experiences of queer Black adults (ages 29–43) and their relationship to the Black Church. Using critical narrative inquiry, six participants completed semi-structured interviews; three also created free verse poems reflecting on their experiences. I created a musical composition in response to participants' narratives. Analysis of participant interviews and poems revealed five themes: the church as formative; queer-antagonistic rhetoric and spiritual harm; community and belonging; Black queer joy; and music as a spiritual pathway. Notably, all participants described gospel music as having an abiding influence on their spiritual and artistic identities, even when …

Safe And Sound, Madeleine Allen

Music and Health Case Studies

No abstract provided.

Roles, Responsibilities, Considerations, And Beyond: Community Musical Care, Renate 艶子 Rohlfing

Music and Health Research Briefs

Community musical care is about creating spaces where people come together, connect, and imagine healthier futures through music. It is about nurturing environments where creativity becomes a tool for well-being and collective strength. The concept is grounded in a fundamental belief: People inherently understand how to use creativity to care for themselves and others. In their daily lives, they use music to deepen relationships, process emotions, and navigate the complexities of being human. A crucial aspect of this work involves sustaining cultural practices and honoring the musical traditions that communities carry forward through generations.

Exploring Interactive Robotic Music Therapy Systems For Rehabilitation: A Survey Paper, Hector A. Salinas Gordillo

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Interactive robotic music therapy introduces an innovative opportunity, where human guided musical interaction with robotic systems can create adaptive and engaging therapeutic experiences. This survey explores the current state of research at the intersection of robotics, music, and rehabilitation, focusing on emerging technologies such as human robot interaction methods and system designs that help enable real time, interactive music therapy.

Potential patient groups include individuals undergoing motor or cognitive rehabilitation, such as those recovering from stroke, living with Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, or other motor impairments, as well as individuals with developmental disorders or limited mobility.

Traditional rehabilitation exercises may …

Beyond Distraction: Music Therapy For Chronic Pain Management In People With Advanced Cancer, Joke Bradt, Lynn Gumert, Carrie Cottone, Ming Yuan Low, Clarissa Lacson, Kate Myers-Coffman, Karolina Bryl, Preethi Selvan, Jacelyn Biondo, Allison Millstein, Anna Cephas, Stephenie Sofield, Brooke Worster, Amy Leader

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Effective, non-pharmacological approaches to pain management for people with advanced cancer that can enhance quality of life while minimizing adverse effects are urgently needed. While music therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing pain and improving pain-related outcomes across various patient populations, it has not been specifically examined in addressing chronic pain among people with advanced cancer. This study aims to enhance understanding of how people with advanced cancer experience music therapy for pain management.

METHODS: As part of a mixed methods intervention trial, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 25 outpatients with advanced cancer …

Learning How To Practice Takes Practice, Micah Killion, Robert Duke

John J. Cali School of Music Scholarship and Creative Works

Effective music learning depends on effective music practice. Although time spent with teachers is an important component of young musicians’ development, time spent alone practicing is perhaps even more consequential. Researchers and teachers have offered many prescriptions about effective music practice, yet observations of young musicians’ actual practice reveal that their behavior in the practice room is often quite unlike what teachers envision. The most important aspects of effective practice are the thinking, perceiving, and decision-making that serve to organize how musicians spend their time. We discuss how to help students focus their attention in ways that lead to the …

Music For Self-Care, A Nurse Well-Being Strategy, Kristen Gilmore Msn, Rn, Cen, Tcrn, Ne-Bc, Nc-Bc, Allison Mccrea Mmt, Mt-Bc, Stephen Didonato Phd, Lcp

Jefferson Hospital Staff Papers and Presentations

Background

• Evidence suggests that individuals with trauma exposure, such as the impact of crisis such as COVID-19, may benefit from music therapy.
• In 2021, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) recognized the importance of ensuring well-being of the nursing workforce identifying the vital role that nursing plays upholding the highest standards of patient care.
• HAP, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, created a three year, first of its kind program, to support the provision of music therapy program services for healthcare workers.
• Through this grant-funded program, Jefferson Health- Pennsylvania hospitals, were awarded $162,000. This grant …

Auditory Cognition Lab: A Music Therapy And Speech-Language Pathology Co-Treatment For Military-Connected Populations With Auditory And Cognitive Impairment, Danielle Vetro-Kalseth, Rebecca Vaudreuil, Heather Morrison, Kathleen Howard, Hannah Bronson

Faculty Works

Military personnel are particularly at risk for auditory processing difficulties as their training, occupational, and combat experiences increase the likelihood of long-term damage to the auditory system as well as negatively impact physical, psychological, cognitive, and sensory functioning. This article introduces a music therapy and speech-language pathology co-treatment program, Auditory Cognition Lab (ACL), that treats auditory and cognitive deficits in military-connected populations (service members, veterans) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ACL addresses auditory discrimination, temporal and binaural processing, and trains compensatory strategies related to auditory processing, cognition, and hearing function. ACL has been clinically implemented at multiple military treatment facilities …

Eternal Music, Dominic Roussos

CAFE Symposium 2025

My project explores how music shapes our perception of life and death by engaging emotions, memory, and cultural understanding. Drawing from Daniel J. Levitin’s This Is Your Brain on Music and Alex Ross’s The Rest Is Noise, it examines music’s neurological and historical impact on human experience. It highlights how songs like Eric Clapton’s "Tears in Heaven," Billy Joel’s "And So It Goes," and John Lennon’s "Imagine" express themes of grief, love, and unity. The author also reflects on personal experiences where music provided solace during loss, emphasizing its power to connect us to both life’s joys and its …

Sights And Sounds Of Veteran Identity: The Use Of Photovoice Technique And Lyric Analysis In A Community-Based Participatory Action Research Framework, Stephanie Jett Ph.D., Laurie Peebles

Academic Affairs

Researchers often attempt to define what it means to be a Veteran; however, there is a dearth of research where that question is directly asked of Veterans. Instead, a traditional approach to research is taken where the experimenter defines the variables and asks the participants to provide responses without being included in the research process or reaping any direct benefit from participation. We assert that in order to better understand this unique population, it is vital that we elevate their voices by employing more qualitative, community-based participatory action research (CbPAR) models where Veterans are empowered to use their voices to …

The Role Of Music In Public Health, Joy Allen Phd, Mt-Bc

All MHI Citations

Music is emerging as a critical yet underutilized determinant of public health. Evidence demonstrates that music-based interventions reduce hospital stays, medication use, and staff burnout while improving patient outcomes, caregiver well-being, and population-level health indicators. Despite these proven benefits, the field remains fragmented and underfunded, limiting its capacity to scale. This paper reframes music as a pillar of public health and argues for systems-level investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and cross-sector innovation. Drawing on the work of the Berklee Music and Health Institute, we highlight how translational research, accessible evidence tools, and interdisciplinary training are advancing equity-driven, sustainable approaches to …

Music Therapy For Women Survivors Of Human Trafficking And Domestic Violence, Dorothy Briggs

SPARK Symposium Presentations

As music therapy research progresses, populations that are underrepresented and under-researched become more evident. There is a lack of research, specifically intervention studies, addressing the needs of women survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. The aim of this study was to construct a goal focused plan of care created by and for these survivors. Nine music therapy sessions were created, each focusing on a different goal outlined by women survivors completing the work development program at Strings for Hope in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions followed a natural progression, addressing increasingly more difficult topics. One session was led with the …

Software Implementations And Analyses Of The Emotional Impact Of Various Binaural Beat Classifications Layered Into Music., Neil Azimi

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This study explores the psychoacoustic effects of binaural beats, which are produced when sinusoidal waves of slightly differing frequencies are played into each ear, leading to brainwave entrainment. Binaural beats are categorized by frequency bands (e.g., Beta: 14–30 Hz for energy, Theta: 4–8 Hz for relaxation), each associated with different psychological effects. This research contributes to the field by empirically analyzing whether binaural beats alter the emotional impact of music. Past studies have investigated the potential benefits of binaural beats in relaxation and energy stimulation. However, their effects, when combined with music, especially regarding a song's perceived emotional quality or …

Intersections Of Trauma And Grief: Navigating Multilayered Terrain In Music Therapy To Support Youth Through Bereavement, Katherine Myers-Coffman Phd, Mt-Bc

Music Therapy: Faculty Publications

Experiencing the death of a loved one as a young person is challenging in its own right, and underlying trauma can complicate one’s bereavement. With little available research exploring the intersections of trauma and grief, this paper aims to provide a foundational understanding of how trauma contexts and histories manifest in music therapy bereavement support programming for young people. Theoretical models that are culturally grounded, resource-oriented, and adopting an ecological, multisystemic lens are presented. The impacts of interpersonal trauma, trauma from systemic oppression, collective trauma, and intergenerational trauma are explored within the context of bereavement support. Diverse music therapy approaches …

Improved Motor Skills In Autistic Children After Three Weeks Of Neurologic Music Therapy Via Telehealth: A Pilot Study, Nicole M. Richard Williams, Corene Hurt-Thaut, Jessica Brian, Luc Tremblay, Marija Pranjic, Jessica Teich, Melissa Tan, Julia Kowaleski, Michael Thaut

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Many autistic children experience motor skill deficits which can impact other areas of functioning, and research on therapeutic interventions for motor skills in autism is in a preliminary stage. Music-based therapies have been used extensively to address motor skills in non-autistic populations. Though a handful of studies exist on the effects of music-based therapies for movement in autistic children, none have investigated the possibility of administering sessions via telehealth. This mixed-methods pilot study investigated whether nine Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)^® sessions via telehealth would improve motor and attention skills in autistic children.

Methods: Five autistic children between five …

Holistic Worship: Music Therapy Techniques Applied To The Modern Worship Service, Emma Lail

Senior Honors Theses

In a world in which loud and energetic distractions prevail, even pervading the modern Christian worship service, there is little research published concerning the issue of keeping the attention of the congregation member from beginning to end of the weekly church gathering in a manner that is calming, productive, and promotes the overall health of the individual. Included in this research project is a presentation of current issues in modern worship that necessitate change, the benefits of music itself, an overview of the types of music therapy, and an implementation of music therapy techniques into the worship service. This is …

Music Therapy Techniques In The Commercial Music Industry, Sarah Heath

Senior Honors Theses

Despite the fact that music is commonly described as free therapy with easily accessible content in the modern age of streaming, most people do not realize that music they already listen to contains many legitimate, psychologically tested therapy. This creative artistic research study examines the role that music therapy processes and techniques play in affecting the form, songwriting and creative processes of the modern music industry. These foundational aspects of songs elicit neurological responses, the emotional effect of which is discussed and incorporated through creative research and implementation through a creative artifact. This study explores songwriting techniques found in various …

Auditory Feedback Decreases Timing Variability For Discontinuous And Continuous Motor Tasks In Autistic Adults, Nicole M. Richard Williams, Luc Tremblay, Corene Hurt-Thaut, Jessica Brian, Julia Kowaleski, Kathrin Mertel, Sebastian Schlüter, Michael Thaut

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Autistic individuals demonstrate greater variability and timing error in their motor performance than neurotypical individuals, likely due at least in part to atypical cerebellar characteristics and connectivity. These motor difficulties may differentially affect discrete as opposed to continuous movements in autistic individuals. Augmented auditory feedback has the potential to aid motor timing and variability due to intact auditory-motor pathways in autism and high sensitivity in autistic individuals to auditory stimuli. Methods: This experiment investigated whether there were differences in timing accuracy and variability in autistic adults as a function of task (discontinuous vs. continuous movements) and condition (augmented auditory …

Factors Influencing Music Therapists’ Retention Of Clinical Hours With Autistic Clients Over Telehealth During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nicole M. Richard Williams

Faculty Scholarship

The COVID-19 pandemic influenced music therapists to migrate services to online platforms, though some lost clinical hours during the pandemic when telehealth was not a viable option. This survey study aimed to ascertain factors that helped music-based therapists to continue serving autistic clients over telehealth during the pandemic. We surveyed 193 accredited music therapists located mainly in Canada and the United States. In addition to gathering data on general perceptions of telehealth music therapy and Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT), one-way ANOVAs were applied to determine differences in percent-change loss of clinical hours for music therapists: 1) working in different employment …

A Remotely Delivered, Personalized Music Therapy Pilot Intervention For Lonely Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Nichola R. Haddad M.D., Twisha Bhardwaj B.A., Benjamin S. Zide M.St., Hema Kher M.D., Jessica M. Lipschitz Ph.D., Maria A. Hernandez M.D., Suzanne B. Hanser Ed.D., Nancy Donovan M.D.

Faculty Works

Introduction

Methods

Editorial: Music Therapy In Geriatrics, Volume Ii, Suzanne B. Hanser, Amy Clements-Cortés, Melissa Mercadal-Brotons, Concetta Maria Tomaino

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapy Services, Joy Allen, Brian Jantz

Music and Health Research Briefs

Music therapy in neonatal intensive care is based on over 25 years of music therapy research and clinical practice as well as cumulative knowledge of premature and newborn infant development and human responsiveness to music.

Editorial: Perspectives On Music And Pain: From Evidence To Theory And Application, Annabel J. Cohen, Andrea Mcgraw Hunt, Eduardo A. Garza-Villarreal, Xuejing Lu

College of Performing Arts Departmental Research

No abstract provided.

Church Music Leaders In The Usa: Prioritizing Technical Competence And Inclusion, Heather Maclachlan

Department of Music Faculty Publications

Church music leaders in the United States pursue two priorities: technical accuracy and fluency in the music-making of their church ensembles, and, including as many volunteers as possible in those same ensembles. At times, the prioritization of technical competence and inclusion conflict, because volunteers whose playing or singing is less than competent seek to be included in church music groups. Facing this ethical dilemma, church music leaders operate ethically; that is, they employ strategies and develop policies based on their understanding of their responsibilities to other people (Warren 2014). During interviews, they verbally espouse an ethic of deontology, but in …

Hailey's Hearing Aids, Hailey Marie Garcia

Whittier Scholars Program

Individuals from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community are likely to experience more anxiety and depression due to defective cognitive, social, communicational, and emotional skills (Azizi et al., 2019). The word “disability” is embedded with historical negative connotations with phrases such as “deaf and dumb” because if they were deaf or mute then they were automatically labeled as inferior (Horovitz, 2007). Since the 18th century, the DHH community has been seen as incapable, even inhuman, hence the development of emotional deficiencies that bleed into one’s perception of society and their self esteem (Gallaudet, 1886).

How do you navigate a hearing world …

The Brief But Shining Life Of Paul Laurence Dunbar, A Poet Who Gave Dignity To The Black Experience, Minnita Daniel-Cox

Department of Music Faculty Publications

Paul Laurence Dunbar was only 33 years old when he died in 1906.

In his short yet prolific life, Dunbar used folk dialect to give voice and dignity to the experiences of Black Americans at the turn of the 20th century. He was one of the first Black Americans to make a living as a writer and was seminal in the start of the New Negro Movement and the Harlem Renaissance.

The Impact Thinking Framework: A Process For Adbancing Research-To-Ractice Initiatives In Neuroaesthetics, Susan Magsamen, Tasha L. Golden, Catriona A. Towriss, Joy Allen

Faculty Works

Neuroaesthetics research explores brain, body and behavioral responses to engagement with the arts and other aesthetic sensory experiences. Evidence indicates that such experiences can help address various psychological, neurological and physiological disorders, and that they can support mental and physical well-being and learning in the general population. The interdisciplinary nature of this work contributes to its impact and promise; however, it also creates challenges as various disciplines approach and define research and practice in varied ways. Recent field-wide reports have noted that a consensus translational framework is needed to support further neuroaesthetics research that can deliver meaningful knowledge and interventions. …