Measured By Music

What is Music Therapy?
Measured By Music's Definition: Music therapy is a data and evidence driven health care profession addressing physical, cognitive, emotional, communicative, and social well being by way of music to address functional, non-musical goals and objectives.
American Music Therapy Association Definition: Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.  
Neurologic Music Therapy Definition: Neurologic Music Therapy is the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunction due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system. NMT is based on a neuroscience model of music perception and production the influence of music on non-musical brain and behavior functions. Treatment techniques are based on scientific research and directed towards functional therapeutic goals. Treatment techniques are standardized and applied to therapy as Therapeutic Musical Interventions, which are adapted to client needs. In addition to MT-BCs, NMTs are educated in areas of neuroanatomy/physiology, brain pathologies, medical terminology, and rehabilitation of cognitive and/or motor functions. (Thaut, 2005).
References: 

American Music Therapy Association, www.musictherapy.org

Thaut, M.H. (2005). Rhythm, Music, and the Brain: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Applications. New York: Routledge.

What Happens In Music Therapy Treatment?

Assessment:  The music therapist will gather information from the client, caregiver, parents, and interdisciplinary team about the client's condition.
The music therapist will administer tests through standardized forms, questionairres, and tests tested for validity and reliability through non-musical professional fields.  The music therapist will also administer tests and run interventions to assess the client's response to music, rhythm, and music therapy interventions.
A comprehensive assessment will be provided to the client, caregiver, parent, and/or interdisciplinary team in a timely fashion to convey non-musical, functional goals and objectives that may be addressed through music therapy.  Recommended techniques, dates for expected achievement of goals, and literature consulted in creating care plan will be included.

Music Therapy Intervention:  All music therapy interventions are designed to address the functional goals and objectives established during the assessment.  The music therapist will consider what avenue of treatment would be provided in a treatment modality outside of music therapy (such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy) and add a musical component.  The music therapist adds music to this treatment in such a way that the music enhances the treatment and is functioning as the therapy.  After administering the treatment, the music therapist will relate what has been worked on to the non-musical objective that is targeted.  This ensures transfer from the musical intervention to functional life.

Music Therapy Progress Reports/Session Notes:  The progress reports and session notes will include subjective observations and objective observations.  The music therapy interventions were designed to gather data during the session that will be recorded and interpreted.  The notes will be used to change or modify treatment, provide results, and create a discharge plan.