Scoping review of music therapy and music interventions in spinal cord injury

Leah J Mercier; Chris Grant; David M Langelier; Stephanie Plamondon

doi:10.1080/09638288.2022.2073391

Scoping review of music therapy and music interventions in spinal cord injury

Disabil Rehabil. 2023 May;45(10):1736-1749. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2073391. Epub 2022 May 21.

Authors

Leah J Mercier¹, Chris Grant^{1

2}, David M Langelier^{3

4}, Stephanie Plamondon^{1

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
² Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
³ Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁵ Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
⁶ Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

PMID: 35603833
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2073391

Abstract

Purpose: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has lifelong implications requiring treatment for outcomes including respiratory function, voice, pain, mood, and gait, among others. Music therapy (MT) and music-based interventions may be useful in the treatment of several outcomes. This review describes the use of MT and music-based interventions in individuals with SCI for rehabilitation and health and highlights future research priorities.

Materials and methods: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, RILM, Music Periodicals and Music Index were searched. Search terms included: SCI and music. Studies of cohorts with SCI using music interventions and descriptions of adapted instruments or development of MT programs were included. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed in duplicate. Data were extracted according to clinical outcomes. A structured synthesis was performed.

Results: Forty-three studies were included. Research in the field includes quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies. Group singing and an individual songwriting program for self-concept were the most studied interventions. Outcomes varied; mood outcomes were most common.

Conclusion: While qualitative data support the use of MT and music-based interventions in this population for a wide variety of outcomes, randomized controlled trials are needed. There is a lack of research on the use of individual MT in this population. Registration: osf.io/9m8v4 Implications for RehabilitationIndividuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) often suffer from injury complications and significant medical morbidity requiring practical long-term treatment and wellness strategies.Music therapy (MT) and music-based interventions can be used for many rehabilitation and health goals in this population including mood, gait and respiratory function, among others.Preliminary qualitative and quantitative studies have reported the benefits of MT across a range of outcomes in individuals with SCI; however, additional research, especially evaluating individual MT interventions, is needed.

Keywords: Spinal cord injuries; gait; music; music therapy; quality of life.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Affect
Humans
Music Therapy* / methods
Music*
Singing*
Spinal Cord Injuries* / rehabilitation