Research Studies
Music Therapy is used in different areas. Music Therapists work in a wide range of settings.
At the core of Music Therapy is its evidence based approach to health and illness. According to American psychologist Erik Erikson we can divide humans into 8 developmental life stages namely:
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Infancy
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Toddlerhood
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Preschool years
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Early school years
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Adolescence
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Young adulthood
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Middle adulthood
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Late adulthood
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In each of these stages of life we are faced with challenges. These impediments to growth affect our quality of life and overall health and wellbeing too. Research in these areas has allowed us to understand these concerns better and improve the treatment modalities that we use.
Music Therapy Research has been conducted on specific areas such as:
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Music Therapy and Disability Studies
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Music Therapy and Special Education
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Addictions Research - drug and alcohol dependence and resistance
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Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injury - Accidents and Strokes
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Music Therapy in Neonatal Intensive Care Units - Prenatal Development
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Role of Music Therapy in Alzheimers,Dementia and Parkinson's Care and Treatment - Elderly care
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Music Therapy and Preventative Healthcare
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Preventative Healthcare is concerned with improving people’s quality of life. To avoid illness and disease at a later stage in life many healthcare practitioners recommend adopting healthier habits that lead to longer and healthier lives, eliminating the burden that is felt due to high healthcare costs associated with disease and illness. Music and its positive association with physiological parameters like blood pressure and stress has led many to use music as a means for promotion of health and regulation of hormones such as oxytocin,serotonin and dopamine.
