We are currently focusing on four areas:
1. Music therapy and giving children the best start in life
During early life, through pregnancy, birth and early childhood, there are several developmental steps that are crucial to life-long flourishing and during these crucial periods families are in need of support. The government in the United Kingdom (UK) has identified several barriers to babies’ and children’s development, health and life chances.
There is already a clear research base for music therapy during the early years for the parents, their children, and the relationships between them. However, there is an urgent need for further research on how music therapy should be tailored to support babies, children, and their families to flourish in terms of children’s development and mental health, parents’ mental health, and the family relationships. Areas that are currently underrepresented in music therapy research – and which the MTC aims to support– include (1) improving equitable access to music therapy around the country during the early years, (2) integration of music therapy practice into clinical systems in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and elsewhere, (3) tailoring of music therapy for young children to contexts, demographic characteristics, and educational contexts, and (4) considering care for the whole family when babies and children are the primary patients. –
2. Music therapy and young people’s mental health.
Around 1 in 5 young people in the UK are thought to have a mental health disorder – a situation often characterised as a “crisis”. In addition, the rates of mental health issues are particularly high for children in families with fewer economic resources.
There is a well -established research base that music therapy can help address young people’s mental health symptoms and support their flourishing, however, much of this research was carried out pre-COVID, when screenings were not so prevalent, and in different economic contexts. In recent years there has been an increasing awareness of the multifaceted needs of young people, along with an uptick in children not able to attend school full time, and the school systems are needing to adapt. There is an urgent need to explore how music therapy can support young peoples’ mental health symptoms along with encouraging ways of flourishing in this context of high need and of economic inequities. Areas of research that need attention– and which the MTC aims to support– include how music therapy can provide support for (1) anxiety, depression and wellbeing in mainstream, special, and clinical contexts and (2) young people who are struggling to regularly attend school or work.
3. Music therapy and dementia
Dementia is a major public health challenge, with nearly one million people currently living with the condition in the UK and prevalence expected to rise substantially. People living with dementia often experience distress, mood changes, and behavioural difficulties that affect quality of life, independence, and relationships, with significant impacts on families and care staff.
There is a growing body of evidence examining music therapy and other music-based interventions in dementia care. Research suggests that music-based therapy may improve depressive and behavioural symptoms, and support social engagement and interaction.
Further research is needed – and which the MTC aims to support – to clarify how, for whom, and in which settings music therapy is most effective across different stages of dementia. Given the prevalence and burden of care in Dementia, there is also a need to carry out research on the role of music therapy for informal and professional carers well-being.
4. Music therapy and palliative care
The death rate in the UK is expected to increase in the next 20 years. As many as 90% of people who die in the UK could benefit from receiving palliative care but barriers to accessing palliative care are still common.
There is growing evidence that music therapy can support families during the end of life, however, there is a clear and urgent need for more research to contribute to holistic palliative care. For example, areas of focus should include – and the MTC aims to support – research on music therapy: (1) across the bereavement continuum (including the patients’ family and support systems), (2) for carers’ emotional wellbeing and support their ‘transition’ from anticipatory grief to bereavement and coping with loss (3) for reduction of social isolation, enhancing peer support networks, community development, and mutual understanding. In addition, opportunities are needed for challenging myths around grief and loss and opening up conversations that can be considered ‘taboo’, (4) to address issues of equity of and accessibility to care of marginalised people and communities.