Telehealth music therapy: A scoping literature review

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review was to explore the studies on telehealth music therapy and its effectiveness published during the period 2016–2021. In August 2021, we performed a systematic literature search based on the PRISMA method, which was complemented by a scoping search employing the JBI method. A total of 32 studies were selected, and the descriptive and publication characteristics were analysed, in addition to which a thematic analysis was conducted. The material included five pilottype studies assessing the effects of telehealth music therapy by comparing the situation before and after but without control groups.

The results were discussed with reference to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), which the Social Insurance Institution of Finland uses as a framework for intensive medical rehabilitation. According to the studies, telehealth music therapy can be carried out 1) synchronously (in real-time), 2) asynchronously (independent of time) and 3) as hybrid models. It is suitable for clients of all ages, individuals and groups, and working with families but whether telehealth music therapy suits a particular client or situation must be considered on a case-to-case basis. The literature on the different models of telehealth music therapy includes case examples, practical tips, and theoretical perspectives but, so far, there is limited data on effectiveness. When implementing the results in a Finnish setting, it is important to be aware of the differences between countries in how music therapy services are organised, and take into account the requirements that producing telehealth services poses on music therapists, organisations, and collaboration between various actors. 

In the future, more research on telehealth music therapy is needed, and the field should be developed further, for example, by creating tools for assessing the suitability of telehealth music therapy for a particular client. As telerehabilitation becomes increasingly common, various asynchronous teleinterventions and hybrid solutions created by music therapists themselves should be developed.

Full text (helda.helsinki.fi).

Authors

Taru-Anneli Koivisto, Anneli Saukko

More information

• Peer-Reviewed: yes.
• Open Access: yes.
• Cite as: Koivisto, T.-A., & Saukko, A. (2023). Etämusiikkiterapia: Kartoittava kirjallisuuskatsaus. Kela. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2023022027754