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Music Therapy in Pediatrics: Clinical Indications for the Treatment of Functional Symptoms

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Functional Symptoms in Pediatric Disease

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Abstract

Music therapy is the clinical, evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. Cross-culturally, music has been acknowledged as an integral part of healing rituals throughout recorded history. Music therapy is distinct from music listening and other types of “music medicine” due to its emphasis on individual assessment and treatment planning, goal setting, and the importance of a therapeutic relationship through implementation by a trained clinician. In pediatric settings, music therapy goals are aligned with the goals of child- and family-centered medical treatment: music therapists utilize elements of music and rhythm in interventions to support pediatric patients and families in successfully coping with stressors, particularly stressors inherent to illness and hospitalization. Successful coping includes the amelioration of functional symptoms that arise in association with anxiety, agitation, poor arousal/emotional regulation, low mood, refusal to cooperate/comply with treatment, and pain. This chapter provides a brief review of the literature supporting the efficacy of music therapy in pediatric medical settings, as well as a case example and suggested guidelines for referral.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, 750 E Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Clare H. Arezina MME, MT-BC, CCLS

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  1. Clare H. Arezina MME, MT-BC, CCLS
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Correspondence to Clare H. Arezina MME, MT-BC, CCLS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA

    Ran D. Anbar

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Arezina, C.H. (2014). Music Therapy in Pediatrics: Clinical Indications for the Treatment of Functional Symptoms. In: Anbar, R. (eds) Functional Symptoms in Pediatric Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8074-8_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8074-8_27

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-8073-1

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