Music-mechanisms at the core of music therapy: Towards a format for a description of music therapy micro-interventions

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The quality and quantity of music therapy research are increasing, as are the number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. However, the latter often define the effect of music therapy treatment as inconclusive. This is frequently due to a lack of clear description of the intervention or the core function of music. Clearly described music therapy interventions might lead to improved treatment fidelity. This article offers a possible solution in three parts. First, limitations in music therapy research are discussed. Second, the design for a format of a practice-based intervention description is explained. In the third part of the article, an example illustrates the use of the format.

Method

The suggested micro-intervention format could lead to a greater reliability in empirical research through the recognition of the working-mechanisms of music therapy intervention at a micro-level. The micro-intervention format was created in collaboration with practicing music therapists, Master students, and a board member for scientific innovation of a professional association.

Results

The micro-intervention format allows music therapists to describe music therapy interventions in detail, including the intervention and its musical working-mechanisms. The format is intended to guide music therapists to execute their intervention in comparable manners, which in the case of a scientific study could improve research fidelity. “Music therapeutic guidance to reduce agitation in dementia care using improvisation and familiar songs” is used to illustrate the micro-intervention format.

Discussion

Development and dissemination of music therapy micro-interventions could lead to improved research outcomes and strengthen the evidence-based foundation of the profession.

KEYWORDS:

• Music therapy
• micro-interventions
• research
• music triggered mechanisms

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2022.2070925

Notes

¹ Juslin (2019) provides an elaborate review of the emotional mechanisms and the scientific evidence of each BRECVEMA mechanism. He identified a ninth mechanism, more linked to the prefrontal cortex (cognitive goal appraisal), which seems rare in music therapy practice, so it will not be addressed here.

² We use “resident” as a person friendly term for person, patient, or client with dementia.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laurien Hakvoort

Laurien Hakvoort, PhD., is a registered music therapist and Neurologic Music Therapy fellow. She is lecturer at the music therapy program of ArtEZ University of the Arts, Netherlands. She is chair of the Dutch music therapy Association, freelance researcher, and guest lecture at University Palackého, Czech Republic. She works as music therapist in her private practice Muzis.net and worked 17 years in forensic psychiatry.

Djemida Tönjes

Djemida Tönjes, MMT, is a cellist, registered music therapist and Neurologic Music Therapy fellow. She is a practicing music therapist and head of the music therapy department at Zorggroep Noorderboog, a care facility for elderly in the East-part of the Netherlands. In addition, she graduated as master student from the music therapy department of ArtEZ University of the Arts.