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In our client success stories, we showcase the real-life impact of music therapy. Through the experiences and journeys of our clients, we aim to illustrate the profound and positive changes that can result from engaging in music therapy sessions.

CASE STUDY 1

A group of five adults experiencing Profound and Multiples Learning Disabilities came together for a 50-minute music therapy sessions for 12 months. Most group members’ multiple conditions affect their ability to hold instruments or express their needs and preferences. Therefore, facilitating self-expression and social interactions stood behind all referrals to Music Therapy, and offering opportunities for music making with others has been the strategic focus for our sessions.

At first, positive reactions to music were visible, but there were few active contributions from group members. Over time, however, the initially limited responses turned into a group effort, transforming our interactions into joyous social events, filled with cheers, smiles and motivation to connect with others. The togetherness in music was also facilitated by active support from the Carers, whose knowledge of their clients’ abilities and limitations helped us overcome any initial difficulties with participation.

Session 16 Vignette: About 15 minutes into session 16, I could observe involvement from all members – I heard either vocalisations from A, the shaking of castanets from B., sustained eye contact and finger taps on the tambourine from J., intentional shaking of the tambourine from W. and musically sensitive vocalisations from A. I responded to each person while singing (often using the participants’ names as lyrics) and playing the keyboard, in order to make everyone feel heard and to celebrate their versatile and creative contributions. During the 9-minute improvisation, the excitement reflected in the energy of the musical piece we created together, culminated with a round of cheers and smiles, bringing the sense of achievement and community spirit, proving that Music Therapy is the space where relationships thrive in support of wellbeing within the community.

 

CASE STUDY 2

A. is 25 and has been diagnosed with global developmental delay, serious somatic disorders and epilepsy. Because of his tracheostomy, he is non-verbal, and always accompanied by a dedicated carer, who monitors his tube feeds, PC and participation in various therapies.

His contact with Music Therapy started when he became part of the ‘Morning Group’, alongside 9 other adults experiencing Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities, where he discovered the social side of music making. The MT was told of his interest in music and regular gig attendance with his dad, so as soon as the opportunity for 1:1 sessions arose, we started meeting for 30-minute individual sessions.

In Music Therapy, A.’s conditions have affected his ability to hold or play instruments and express himself. Nevertheless, his activity within sessions increased over time – from receptive enjoyment of listening to pop songs played for him on the guitar, to blowing kisses towards me, to self-motivated contributions of loud sounds by knocking off a tambourine on the floor, to making intentional effort towards holding a beater and hitting the cymbal.

Session 9 Vignette: We started with the interaction on the guitar, as A’s right hand was placed over the strings.  As I removed the guitar from underneath his hand, we produced a harmonic chord (achieved by specific guitar tuning), matching my singing of a made-up song ‘Never Have I Ever Blues’. As his independence grew, I left the guitar on his lap and accompanied him on another, still singing in blues style. A. clearly enjoyed the bluesy groove, as he felt motivated to repeatedly lift his arm to strum the guitar. His Carer and I cheered to celebrate the sounds he made independently. 

This interaction clearly showed that involvement in music can motivate Clients with multiple somatic conditions to overcome their limitations or motivate them to make physical effort to accomplish tasks. Music also has the power of highlighting someone’s abilities beyond their apparent limitations and of giving the opportunity for them to make independent choices about the form of their own participation.

In this section, we explore the deep connection between music therapy and mental health. From the impact of music on emotional regulation to its ability to reduce stress and improve cognitive function, we delve into the powerful ways in which music therapy can positively influence mental well-being.

 

CASE STUDY 3

Client description

1. is an 86-years old, has been diagnosed with vascular dementia, and is affected by physical impairments related to her advanced Parkinson’s. She has lived at the JC care home for years. Overall participated in 7 music therapy sessions.

The impact of condition:

A.’s ability to communicate and socialise has been affected by her multiple dementia-related cognitive and physical impairments. She often felt lonely and apathetic, which was demonstrated by sitting quietly with her eyes closed.  She talked with nostalgia about her past which she was still able to recall. Although it was evident that her short-term memory was affected by her condition, she was able to recall events and preferences using her long-term memory to do so. She, however struggled to hold objects due to a lack of grip strength.

How A. presented herself at the start of music therapy

Initially, A. presented herself in music therapy sessions as being very sleepy, and having little motivation and energy to interact with the therapist. Over the course of 3 weeks, however, she became responsive to questions about her past and musical activity, e.g. she talked about piano lessons, her childhood, and a happy life in Stamford Hill, also attending classical music concerts. When we started talking about her past she also started to open up and shared her musical preferences with the therapist, e.g. when asked, “What has music meant to you in your lifetime?” A. replied, “It was important in my childhood, but I preferred reading and stories”.

A., however, avoided active engagement with any instruments or singing. She also struggled to hold instruments. When presented with the keyboard, she seemed apprehensive to put her hands on the piano keys, partly because of physical struggle, but also feeling self-conscious about the loss of her playing skills.

In session 5, A. also found it difficult to understand the meaning and purpose of creating her own music through improvisation on either voice or instrument, and expressed scepticism to examples of improvisation given by the therapist (e.g. the therapist developing improvised variations based on the classical themes by E. Satie, J. Brahms, L. Beethoven or W. A. Mozart on the flute or piano), rarely responding musically.

 

The progress and change as a result of music therapy:

As time went on, A. became more open to various forms of vocal and instrumental engagement. In session 6, she joined in vocally alongside some of songs from the West End musicals and known songs such as “Que Sera” or “Hello Dolly”, mostly by mouthing the lyrics she could remember.  In the same session, the music therapist encouraged A. to join in with her playing along on shakers as a form of accompaniment to recorded music of her favourite classical music pieces (e.g. “The Rite of Spring” by I. Stravinski). During this interaction, A. started demonstrating creativity and expression by implementing her own ideas, which led on to our first improvisation (session 8). She also felt encouraged to sing along when the therapist played the guitar alongside her. However, the most notable development in A. was when during session 7, A. expressed her feeling of loneliness (in response to the therapist telling her it was our last session), as she seemed to have found comfort in shared music making experience which seemed to provide her with emotional solace and companionship, as well as enjoyment through this form of social interaction.

During session 7 she also overcame her anxiety regarding playing the key instrument (such as piano / keyboard). Possibly, putting her hands on the keyboard for the first time in many years, also helped A. to regain an important part of her former identity and embracing a different approach to making music, moving on from the traditional classical piano playing to the improvisational approach (she seemed to be previously sceptical and anxious about). By accepting this approach, she also experienced the social, reciprocal and communicative way of music making, which could have filled in the gap in her social presence and interaction. She has become the creative partner and co-creator of the music rather than its passive recipient, which has positively affected her sense of agency and self-confidence.

The musical outcomes for A., based on the development of our therapeutic relationship and musical connection enabling us to meet musically and personally, was obtaining the sense of agency in deciding on the right format and content of the sessions (where her preferences prevailed over standard session formats), as well as  and her acceptance of the improvisational way of instrumental playing) as a form of social interaction within the music, which has also become the main wellbeing outcome for her.

Here, we share insights into various therapeutic music techniques used in our sessions. From individual to group settings, we highlight the diverse ways in which music can be harnessed as a tool to improve the quality of our clients' daily lives.

GROUP SESSION STRUCTURE (DEMENTIA CARE)

Hello Song

- a familiar song creating a sense of safety and consistency, especially for those with memory challenges.

Popular songs

- participants engage in familiar songs, often chosen to evoke memories and facilitate reflection.

AIM: to built confidence and social interaction, helping participants connect with their pasts and share emotional experiences with others.

Musical Improvisations

- participants explore a range of accessible instruments, engaging in structured play-alongs to pre-recorded music, and / or improvisations based on familiar songs with the support from the music therapist.

AIM: to encourage creative expression and help participants to connect with each other.

Goodbye Song

- a calming or highly energetic familiar song with the therapist’s piano or guitar accompaniment, reinforcing the established musical flow and providing closure for participants.

Benefits of Music Therapy for Seniors

There are a ton of benefits for seniors that using music therapy can unlock. Studies have shown that music can help with both mental and physical rehabilitation, especially for older adults. They include, but are not limited to:

• Decreasing anxiety and depression. At least 20% of people aged 55 years and above in the United States suffer from some type of mental health disorder. Music therapy can reduce both adrenaline and cortisol, the hormones responsible for stress in the body, which in turn reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Emotional support. Music also offers positive emotional support, which has been linked to decreasing both mental fatigue and depression by stimulating the limbic system, the center of the brain’s emotional response.
• Unlock memories. Listening to music also helps to retrieve forgotten memories and enhance the ability to retain new ones.
• Therapeutic effects. Music therapy may also serve as a therapeutic tool, allowing the body and the mind a chance to process trauma, grief, and other powerful emotions, as well as increasing self-esteem by activating the brain’s pleasure center, the nucleus accumbens.

THE BEST OF TEDex TALKS ON MUSIC AND MUSIC THERAPY

Why I Want to Change the World with Music Therapy | Erin Seibert | TEDxUSFSP

Erin Seibert describes the profession of music therapy in detail and how it deserves to be a household name within the world of healthcare. Erin highlights the reasons why music therapy is already changing the world one patient at a time and how increased inclusion of the profession will help healthcare progress Erin Copeland Seibert, MT-BC .

https://bit.ly/3PbeSOP