Music and Medicine

The PERMA-Based Group Music Therapy: A Intervention Protocol for Enhancing Well-being in Adults

Bing Wang — 2026-04-30

In recent years, mental health promotion has increasingly focused not only on treating illness but also on fostering well-being at both individual and community levels. However, a theoretical framework is lacking to guide protocol development. The PERMA model, proposed by Seligman, conceptualizes well-being through five core elements: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed group music therapy intervention protocol based on the PERMA model. We offer a protocol for an eight-session group music therapy intervention designed around the PERMA principles, incorporating music listening, movement, and improvisation to support participants’well-being. The program begins with an introductory session to establish group connections, followed by six sessions dedicated to exploring the PERMA elements through music-based experiences, and concludes with a final session to reflect and consolidate progress. By offering a structured yet adaptable framework, this music intervention serves as both a proactive approach to mental health and a practical resource for music therapists. The protocol serves as an approach for testing in a forthcoming trial.

The Brain Symphony For Post-Stroke Rehabilitation – A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study With P.Ramlee Songs

Wen Fen Beh — 2026-04-30

Objective: Music listening intervention has made great strides in improving the condition of stroke survivors. Thus, this research explores the effects of music listening intervention on post-stroke survivors during rehabilitation by using P. Ramlee songs.

Materials & Methods: In the first phase, surveys were conducted to determine the selection of songs to be used in the second phase. The second phase is applying music listening intervention on a small sample of 20 subjects, aged 55 years old and above. The participants were categorized into two groups: stroke survivors and healthy individuals and randomized into control group (without music) and experimental group (with music). The second phase consists of three stages. Stage one is to pre-screen and select potential subjects before the experiment. The second stage aims to determine the effect of P. Ramlee music on stroke survivors during their rehabilitation through augmenting their brain neuroplasticity with measurement of the MEP using TMS. The final stage compares the effects of MEP between lesion and non-lesion areas.

Result: The results suggest that P. Ramlee’s music positively increases MEP, leading to improvements in the subjects’ motor performance.

Conclusion: Hence, post-stroke survivors experience accelerated recovery when exposed to the utilization of P. Ramlee’s songs as part of their rehabilitation, reinforcing the significant benefits of music listening intervention when used as an adjuvant therapeutic tool in a clinical environment.

The Efficacy of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music in Pain Management for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study

georgia nika — 2026-04-30

Background and Aim: This randomized controlled study investigated the efficacy of an adaptation of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) in pain management for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method: Participants (n=74) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which received an adapted version of GIM plus standard care, or a control group, which received music listening plus standard care. Pain intensity (Wong-Baker FACES, PainDETECT Questionnaire), functional capacity (Barthel Index), and psychological well-being (SF-36) were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a follow-up, while caregivers’ burden was assessed using Zarit Burden Interview.

Results: A total of sixty one (n=61) patients completed the study. Results indicated a significant reduction in pain intensity and an improvement in quality of life in the GIM group compared to the control group. While the Barthel Index showed a temporary improvement with GIM, this improvement was not sustained. The GIM group exhibited significant improvements in SF-36 domains of Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, and General Health over time. Caregiver burden, as measured by the ZBI, also showed significant improvement in personal distress and role overload among the caregivers in the GIM group.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the adapted version of GIM is a promising adjunctive therapy for managing pain and improving the well-being of individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy and Management of Major Depressive Disorders via Tailored Musical Interventions and Neuro-acoustic Stimulation

Aasim Shahzad — 2026-04-30

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a disabling and prevalent mental illness, usually diagnosed based on subjective clinical observations, which may compromise diagnostic accuracy and treatment delay, The current situation highlights the need for more accurate, objective, and innovative approaches. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of personalized musical interventions combined with Neuro-Acoustic Stimulation (NAS) and Neuro-Acoustic Loop Methodologies (NALM) in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment protocols for MDD, carried out at the Kashmir Advanced Scientific Research Centre (KASRC), a DSIR-accredited institution, this research employs a mixed-methods approach. Participants diagnosed with MDD underwent tailored musical interventions designed to resonate with their specific emotional and cognitive needs. At the same time, NAS techniques were utilized to stimulate neural pathways associated with mood regulation. Preliminary outcomes reveal that the combination of personalized musical interventions with neuro-acoustic stimulation significantly enhances the accuracy of MDD diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Participants reported reductions in depressive symptoms and increased engagement in their treatment, suggesting that this multimodal and interdisciplinary approach not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also suggests an innovative paradigm for preventative strategies and therapeutic interventions in mental health care.

Pharmacological interventions and Music Therapy in the management of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children

George Charonitis — 2026-04-30

This work examines the dual approaches of pharmacological interventions and Music Therapy (MT) with a focus on the Orff-Schulwerk approach to Music Therapy (OMT), in addressing the complex challenges of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in school-age children. The article synthesises current research findings and clinical trials related to nonspecific pharmacological interventions, including atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants, providing insights into their efficacy and promising results. Additionally, the review explores the emerging evidence supporting the application of Music Therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing social interaction and verbal communication skills in children with ASD. The principles, outcomes, and potential synergies between pharmacological and music therapy interventions are analysed, offering a holistic perspective on the diverse therapeutic strategies available for managing ASD in the paediatric population. By integrating findings from various studies, the article highlights the complementary nature of these interventions. The synthesis of research findings provides a valuable resource for clinicians, researchers, and educators involved in the multidisciplinary care of children with ASD, emphasising the importance of tailored, multi-faceted treatment plans that address both the neurological and social dimensions of the disorder.

Expanding Access, Strengthening Practice

Amy Clements-Cortés — 2026-04-30

As an interdisciplinary journal at the intersection of clinical practice, research, and the arts, Music and Medicine is committed to advancing the evidence base for music‑based interventions while ensuring that this knowledge is accessible to the broad community of clinicians, researchers, and practitioners who rely on it...