Music therapy is an established health care and human services profession that is dedicated to the implementation of controlled research studies to determine the underlying mechanisms in music that are responsible for therapeutic change, as well as clinical research to direct and guide the work of the music therapist. This growing body of research has enabled the music therapy profession to establish itself as a viable treatment modality for children in many areas, such as neurological rehabilitation and the use of music with premature infants. This book, a result of a project sponsored by the American Music Therapy Association and the National Academy for Recording Arts & Sciences, highlights research and evidence-based practice methods that are being used in neonatal intensive care units, pediatric burn care, critical care and mechanical ventilation, neurological rehabilitation, chronic illness, procedural support, and surgical support.

The aim of this book is to provide student and professional music therapists with a solid foundation for clinical practice with infants and children in pediatric medical settings. The guidelines are based on both the practice wisdom of the contributing authors and a critical review of the existing literature. In addition, each chapter provides an overview of research evidence to date for music therapy practice with the respective populations. Included are chapters on the following populations and/or areas of care: pain management, premature infants, full-term hospitalized newborns, pediatric intensive care, surgery and procedural support, burn care, cancer, palliative and end-of-life care, brain injuries and rehabilitation, respiratory care, medically fragile children in low awareness states, and general inpatient care. Practical guidelines are provided for implementing receptive, improvisational, re-creative, and compositional methods of music therapy with each client group. All chapters in the book follow the same outline, allowing for easier reading and study. Current resources, readings, and forms are presented.

Music therapy is growing internationally to be one of the leading evidence-based psychosocial allied health professions to meet needs across the lifespan.The Oxford Handbook of Music Therapy is the most comprehensive text on this topic in its history. It presents exhaustive coverage of the topic from international leaders in the field.

Amy Robertson has taken her experience of starting a music therapy program from scratch at the largest admitting hospital in America and provided step-by-step instructions on how others can do the same.

Case studies of advanced practice in medical music therapy