When music is employed as an ambient and adjunct modality or tool during procedures, in the perioperative
environment, and/or for use in chronic pain management, there exists considerable diversity in the literature
with respect to the music listening protocol. In many cases, the authors of the published literature do not specify
the exact protocol and/or why certain music was used. This is a limitation of a portion of the literature; however,
it is important to understand that many of the findings from these studies can help shape, inform, and refine
future research by Board Certified Music Therapists, other professionals, and in collaborative research
environments.
Finally, it is important to note that the Board Certified Music Therapist employs a wide variety of music
therapy interventions based on a) the best available evidence from the published literature, b) the therapist’s
training, expertise and specializations, and c) the client’s needs and preferences. Programming and selection of
individualized music and sound stimuli is only a small piece of the Board Certified Music Therapist’s practice.
A diverse array of underlying theories forms the foundation for music therapy interventions. Examples include
frameworks from behavioral, psychodynamic, psychological, and neurobiological theories. For the topic of pain
and pain management, emerging findings from neuroscience with applied music therapy interventions are
trending towards a fuller understanding of why certain music therapy interventions influence outcomes more
favorably than others.