Exploring the Impacts of Music Therapy with People Receiving Palliative Care in Rural NS

Music Therapy (MT) has the potential to support health and well-being of people with incurable diseases and limited life expectancy. Yet, it is a relatively underused service in Canada. There is a need for non-invasive and non-pharmacological treatment options in Palliative Care because such treatments can sometimes further exacerbate illness (e.g., drug interactions). Research has demonstrated that MT benefits palliative care patients by improving well-being, relaxation, and anxiety. However, it is unclear whether MT can help with other factors like pain, quality of life, satisfaction with health services, social support and relationships, and connectedness to positive memories. The proposed research aims to: 1) investigate the effectiveness of MT specifically in a rural Canadian palliative care setting, (2) clarify which outcomes are improved by MT, and (3) examine if certain characteristics predict positive outcomes. The internship will also allow us to expand research to explore caregivers’ perceptions of the MT their loved one received. The intern will be involved in all aspects of this research. The findings will benefit our partner, Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!), by providing information that can be used to refine MT programs, to raise awareness of the service, and to advocate for increased access to such services.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lindsay Berrigan;Angela Weaver

Student:

Partner:

Arts Health Antigonish (AHA!)

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

St. Francis Xavier University

Program: