MUSIC THERAPY VIRTUAL ISSUE
Journal of Music Therapy:
The Journal of Music Therapy seeks to advance research, theory, and practice in music therapy through the dissemination of scholarly work. The four selected articles reflect our mission to advance the science and practice of music therapy by publishing on a range of methodological, basic and clinical research topics, using a variety of methodological approaches.
Sena Moore (2013) provides a systematic review of research examining how music and music experiences impact neural structures implicated in emotion regulation, and then discusses implications of her findings for clinical practice. Solli, Rolvsjord, and Borg (2013) conducted a meta-synthesis of studies examining service users’ experiences of music therapy in mental health care, and the role of music therapy in the development and provision of recovery-oriented services. Tan, Yowler, Super, and Frantianne (2012) conducted a series of three studies examining relationships among psychophysical properties of music, listener preference, familiarity, and degree of perceived relaxation in music. Their findings provide a foundation for music selection in clinical practice and subsequent research by providing a more in-depth operational definition for the intrinsic parameters of relaxation music, and the importance of preference and familiarity in eliciting the relaxation response. Williams, Berthelsen, Nicholson, Walker, and Abad (2012) examined effectiveness of a short-term group music therapy intervention for parents of children with disabilities aimed at improving parental wellbeing, parenting behaviors, and child development. The authors also identified factors that predicted benefit for several parent and child outcomes.
Each of these studies uses a unique, rigorous methodological approach designed to answer questions that inform our understanding about underlying mechanisms of music perception and its relationship to targeted outcomes, client experiences and perceptions of music therapy, and intervention effectiveness.
Sheri Robb, PhD, MT-BC
Edito