Music as a health resource and therapy

The FoU-group Music as a health resource and therapy explores how music can strengthen quality of life and public health in many ways throughout the life course. The group builds upon interdisciplinary research and practice, and has as a goal to develop knowledge on how music can facilitate self-care, social inclusion, emotional regulation and quality of life throughout the life course, as self-therapy, a resource in health care or in collaboration with a trained music therapist.

There is already substantial scientific support showing that music can work both preventive and as a treatment, thereby strengthening public health (WHO, 2019). In an international comparison, Norway is one of the leading countries when it comes to research on music and health. Research is carried out withing neuroscience, music therapy and various branches of health care. There is a broad understanding and knowledge on the potential in music both as a public health resource, for instance through the participation in dementia choirs, and music therapy as a professional treatment.

The goal of this FoU group at NTNU Department of music is to contribute to the already existing research in interdisciplinary collaborations, and to initiate research across scientific traditions. When music is used as a public health resource and for improved quality of life, many different types of knowledge are needed, where this group aims to contribute with knowledge about music, as an aethsetic, relational and social phenomenon.

Ambitions and plans

Contribute to increased knowledge about when and why music can work as a health resource.
Deepen the understanding of how and why human beings use music actively in their daily routines, and what it can mean for stress, identity, experiences of meaning and regulation of emotions.
Contribute to increased collaboration between the sectors of health, culture, and education to develop new knowledge and methods on music in health promotion work.
Initiate implementation research that evaluates some of the many initiatives and projects that already exist, where music is used with a health supportive intention.
Develop professional development courses for health care staff, culture workers and other who are interested, with an emphasis on both professional practice and music as support in self-care.

Activity

Arrange seminars, workshops and discussion fora that gather researchers, professionals and other interested citizens with experience of the use of music in everyday life.
Publish research articles, reports and more broadly accessible texts on how music works, both in the home and in institutions.
Establish partnership with health care institutions, educational environments, culture organisations, civil society, and agents within the field of music-and-health such as Polyfon kunnskapsklynga for Musikkterapi, locally, nationally and internationally.
Initiate and support projects that facilitate the use of music in everday life, such as playlists for self-care, choirs, sound environments and musical communities in the vicinity.
Offer musical expertise in interdisciplinary research projects and already existing music-and-health-measures.