Functional outcomes in children and adolescents with neurodisability accessing music therapy: A scoping review

Abstract

People with a neurodisability can benefit from the different therapies that a team of health professionals can offer. Rehabilitation can be helpful to develop and improve people's physical, language, thinking, and emotional skills. Music is thought to be helpful for people who have a neurodisability because it is motivating and enjoyable. We have good understanding of the benefits of music therapy for adults with a neurodisability, but we know less about the use of music therapy with younger people.

In this study, we used a type of literature review, called a scoping review, to find out what has been written about music therapy for children and adolescents with a neurodisability, and what research if any, has been done. We wanted to learn what skills music therapy can help children and adolescents with a neurodisability develop during their rehabilitation. We followed a careful process called PRISMA-ScR to search for examples of writing on this subject and found 53 examples. Our article shares the results of our study.

We found that children and adolescents with a neurodisability will develop a range of skills, if they access music therapy in their rehabilitation. These skills can be physical; talking and interacting with other people; thinking; behaving; or involve their feelings.