A music therapy feasibility study with adults on a hospital neuroscience unit: Investigating service user technique choices and immediate effects on mood and pain

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study the frequency of service user MT technique choices and their resultant effects on mood and pain in adults receiving music therapy (MT) offered for the first time on a neuroscience unit. Participants (N = 29) self-selected into one of three pre-determined single-session techniques: 1) Listening to preferred music delivered live (receptive MT); 2) A guided relaxation script with pre-recorded music (guided relaxation); or 3) Playing instruments to preferred music delivered live (active MT) and completed mood and pain scales at pre- and posttest. Most participants selected receptive MT (n = 16, 55%), followed by guided relaxation (n = 11, 38%) and active MT (n = 2, 7%). Although no significant within- or between-group difference in mood or pain was found, most techniques tended to slightly improve mood and pain from pre- to posttest. Despite the temporal parameters of a single treatment session, MT tended to have positive impacts on mood and pain from pre- to posttest. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.