Papers by Amy Clements-Cortes
Music and Medicine
This paper provides an overview of the potential benefits of interprofessional collaboration betw... more This paper provides an overview of the potential benefits of interprofessional collaboration between music educators and music therapists in elementary and high school settings. An overview of the role of interprofessional collaboration is shared, followed by a discussion of potential gains specific to collaboration between music educators and music therapists. Examples of various interprofessional programs implemented in the school system are noted alongside suggestions for developing future collaborations between these fields.
Voices, Mar 1, 2024
The discipline of music therapy is practiced differently across the globe and over the years, in ... more The discipline of music therapy is practiced differently across the globe and over the years, in all regions of the world, the number of music therapy training programs has expanded. As such, there is a need to reflect on the differences between education and training programs, which vary according to the local culture, educational needs, theoretical background, and scope, among others. Music therapists work in a variety of environments including hospitals, community centres, regular or special education schools, speciality clinics, private practice, and long-term care homes, etc. Music therapists are tasked with navigating policies in their workplaces and balancing the needs of their clients/consumers/service users. This article written together by educators and a student aims to present brief highlights of the work of the authors whose collaboration resulted in a presentation at the European Congress of Music Therapy in June 2022. This presentation focused on the challenges and issues faced by the discipline of music therapy and health in general, based on the analysis of systemic issues in education and training, social issues, and significant issues such as multiculturalism, equity, and race around the world. These were identified as important
Current clinical neurology, 2023
Music and medicine, Oct 30, 2022
The aim of this international scoping review was to assess the evidence of group singing as a for... more The aim of this international scoping review was to assess the evidence of group singing as a form of social prescription. While efforts have grown over the last two decades to catalogue and evaluate the health benefits of arts and cultural activities as part of social prescribing, there has been limited exploration into group singing on social prescription, specifically. Given the growing body of research supporting the health and wellbeing gains of both group singing and social prescribing, this first scoping review is needed and timely. Published evidence is very limited at the moment, and only nine studies met the eligibility requirements. Identified barriers to wider integration of singing on prescription included lack of formalization of the social prescribing process, challenges solidifying buy-in from general practitioners and other healthcare professionals, difficulties sustaining funding, and shifts to organizational structure resulting in staff changeover and loss of institutional knowledge. Recommendations for future research, wider implementation of singing on social prescription and standardization of evaluation methods are included.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, May 13, 2023
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Nordic journal of music therapy, Jun 22, 2020
Introduction: Affective reactions frequently reported by adolescents who stutter include embarras... more Introduction: Affective reactions frequently reported by adolescents who stutter include embarrassment, frustration, and feelings of anxiety about further stuttering. It is possible that music therapy could enhance stuttering treatment outcomes; however, little is known about how individuals who stutter, and therapists working with this group, view such therapy. The purpose of this study was to explore individuals who stutter and therapist experiences with, and perceptions of, music and music therapy for stuttering. This work is part of a larger mixed-methods project to explore the effectiveness and potential benefit of music therapy with adolescents who stutter. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six clinicians and three individuals who stutter. Interview data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes emerged from participants' accounts: (1) the experience of living with stuttering, (2) the importance of music in everyday life, (3) the application of music therapy in stuttering, and (4) recommendations for music therapy in the continuum of support services for individuals who stutter. Discussion: Participants in this study perceived music and music therapy to benefit individuals who experience stuttering, particularly within the context of mental health. There is agreement that song writing, improvisation and song singing are most useful when working with adolescents who experience stuttering.
Barcelona Publishers eBooks, 2021
Music and medicine, Jan 30, 2023
This paper provides an overview of the potential benefits of interprofessional collaboration betw... more This paper provides an overview of the potential benefits of interprofessional collaboration between music educators and music therapists in elementary and high school settings. An overview of the role of interprofessional collaboration is shared, followed by a discussion of potential gains specific to collaboration between music educators and music therapists. Examples of various interprofessional programs implemented in the school system are noted alongside suggestions for developing future collaborations between these fields.
Music and medicine, Apr 30, 2019
Stroke is a prevalent disease, and the leading cause of disability from neurological disorder wor... more Stroke is a prevalent disease, and the leading cause of disability from neurological disorder worldwide. The emotional impact a stroke may have on a person and occurrence of depression can affect their readiness to engage in rehabilitation, their functional outcomes, and their ability to reintegrate socially. Depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Music and music therapy have the potential to access and effect change concurrently in multiple domains, making it a valued method for facilitating non-pharmacological, therapeutic change while supporting a person’s emotional needs. Music therapy interventions may provide motivation for participation in rehabilitation, as well as facilitate goal acquisition in physical, psychosocial, emotional, communicative and cognitive domains. This paper explores the role of motivation, evidence of music-induced affective responding, therapeutic effects of music interventions on mood, physiological and neural correlates, social interaction, music therapy implications for individuals recovering from acquired brain injury, and future directions.
Activities, Adaptation & Aging, Nov 20, 2019
As the human population is moving toward a demographic of aging individuals, increased levels of ... more As the human population is moving toward a demographic of aging individuals, increased levels of stress will be placed on the current health care system. "… As people live longer, there is a tendency �for the onset of disease to occur closer to the end of life � " �(p. 441) and the incidence of mental health illnesses is prevalent in older adults �. Currently, the medical model is dominant in the health care system and aims to cure any issue(s) without considerations in the cause or source. Social prescribing/social prescription enables physicians and health care professionals to refer individuals to non-clinical services, such as art and music, to provide holistic care or a response to the current health care system. This paper will provide an overview of the concept of social prescribing, offer examples in the current practices of social prescription, and describe the role of social prescription in older adults and their caregivers.
This paper presents the case study of a 38-year-old female, "Joy," and her Guided Imagery and Mus... more This paper presents the case study of a 38-year-old female, "Joy," and her Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) process. Joy was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada in 2008 to pursue further studies along with her husband. Joy is a music educator who was drawn to GIM to explore issues with her parents, husband, anxiety and stress in order to lead her to improved wellbeing and healing. This paper provides the relevant background information on GIM, and several important topics in Joy's therapeutic process, including: gender issues being raised in Hong Kong, effects of parental gambling on child development, identity development, and performance anxiety. Joy desired focus and longed for her inner voice to be freed. Joy also wanted to feel strong enough to assert her wishes as an Asian female in order to present herself authentically. GIM sessions provided Joy with the space to identify and explore her concerns, which led her to improved well-being and healing. GIM is a music psychotherapy intervention that is particularly well suited to work with music educators and musicians, due to their experience and connections to music.
Holocaust survivors often face many psychological and emotional issues such as fear, and intrusiv... more Holocaust survivors often face many psychological and emotional issues such as fear, and intrusive thoughts and images as a result of the traumatic experiences they endured. Guided Imagery and Music is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy which has proven to be particularly effective for survivors of trauma in addressing such emotional and psychological issues and beginning the healing healing process. This paper presents the case of Rivka, a child survivor of the Holocaust who experienced numerous losses in her life. As Rivka was approaching her death she chose music therapy to address her current concerns as well as those from her past that she had not resolved. Guided Imagery and Music sessions helped Rivka assess and process her losses and fear and overcome her feelings of guilt and suffering, allowing her to move forward and feel free.
Sound stimulation is an important approach to consider when working with patients with Alzheimer'... more Sound stimulation is an important approach to consider when working with patients with Alzheimer's disease. Both music and other forms of sound stimulation can contribute to improved health and well-being and are often easily implemented in the long-term care (LTC) environment. This paper provides an overview of the two basic approaches to the use of sound with persons in LTC (music therapy and music medicine), as well as a discussion of considerations for implementing various types of sound stimulation in the LTC setting.
In this issue of Music Therapy Today, I have chosen to write about the history and contributions ... more In this issue of Music Therapy Today, I have chosen to write about the history and contributions the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) has made to grow the global awareness of music therapy as an art and science. This paper will provide readers with a brief history of the WFMT by highlighting its purpose, organization and important events from the past 30 years. Further information on projects undertaken by WFMT officers from 2011 forward will also be highlighted.
Music and medicine, Jul 29, 2018
recurring motifs peer review corner Copyright of Canadian Music Educator: Musicien éducateur au C... more recurring motifs peer review corner Copyright of Canadian Music Educator: Musicien éducateur au Canada is the property of Canadian Music Educators' Association / L'association canadienne des musiciens educateurs and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2022
Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, advanced practice... more Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other disciplines based on need. Music therapists and art therapists are becoming increasingly available to palliative care teams and are advancing the diverse and unique clinical services available to effectively meet the holistic needs of patients with serious illnesses and their families. This article provides a concrete exploration of clinical music therapy and art therapy within palliative care and hospice paradigms, with discussion of therapists' training and expertise, therapeutic approaches within the setting of interprofessional team-based care, and discussion of evidence-based symptom management and outcomes supporting the inclusion of music and art therapies within medical education and clinical employment.
Music and medicine, Nov 5, 2010
This article describes a study that investigated the experience of 4 dying persons and their sign... more This article describes a study that investigated the experience of 4 dying persons and their significant relationships, as they engaged in music therapy sessions designed with the goal of facilitating relationship completion. Multiple data sources informed the case studies and the themes that emerged for each case are presented. A cross-case analysis was performed, which incorporated a thematic analysis of participants’ experiences where 6 global themes were identified including love, loss, gratitude, growth/trans- formation, courage/strength, and good-bye. Results indicate that life review, song dedications, and the creation of musical gifts were a core part of each participant’s process. The article concludes with a summary, discussion, and implications for future research. Keywords loss, love, palliative care, relationship completion, relationships
Uploads
Papers by Amy Clements-Cortes