An Overview of Evidence-Based Support for the Therapeutic Use of Music in Occupational Therapy

Music is a modality present in occupational therapy, yet little educational material about music exists within the field. This paper presents a myriad of possibilities for practitioners considering using music, providing a resource of research within and outside the field. Applications are organized around enhancement of occupational performance, utilizing three distinct methods: (1) Music-assisted occupation, (2) Music as occupation, and (3) Music in preparation for occupation. The potential effects of music in the areas of pain/discomfort, movement, emotion, cognition, self-expression/communication, relationships/groups, culture/society and community, and personal meaning/motivation, are discussed in terms of enhancing occupation.