RESIDENT: Music Therapy for Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Forensic Psychiatric Populations

Learning Objectives

1. Compile a database of the existing literature implementing music-based intervention in forensic hospitals or correctional facilities;
2. Investigate the effects music therapy has on participants;
3. Discuss whether music therapy should be endorsed for psychosocial rehabilitation in forensic populations.

Litertature References

1. Bensimon, M., Einat, T., & Gilboa, A. (2013). The impact of relaxing music on prisoners’ levels of anxiety and anger. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 59(4), 406–423. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x13511587

2. Chen, X.-J., Hannibal, N., & Gold, C. (2015). Randomized trial of group music therapy with Chinese prisoners. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 60(9), 1064–1081. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x15572795

3. Frederiksen, B., Ridder, H. M., & Pedersen, L. (2020). Alliance building in music therapy for forensic psychiatric patients with schizophrenia. An exploratory case study research design. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 30(2), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2020.1827452

4. Hakvoort, L., Bogaerts, S., Thaut, M. H., & Spreen, M. (2013). Influence of music therapy on coping skills and anger management in forensic psychiatric patients. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 59(8), 810–836. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624x13516787

5. Nijman, H., Jakobs, A., Waters, M., Osborne, N., Moerbeek, M., Herstel, A., & de Looff, P. (2022). A randomized crossover study on the physiological arousal reducing effects of music in forensic psychiatry. Psychology of Music, 51(3), 764–781. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356221111823

6. Thaut, M. H. (1989). The influence of music therapy interventions on self-rated changes in relaxation, affect, and thought in psychiatric prisoner-patients. Journal of Music Therapy, 26(3), 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/26.3.155

Abstract

Anger, anxiety, depression, and social interactions are characteristics influencing behavioral alterations among forensic psychiatric patients. The neurobiological mechanisms of music and its enhancement effect on memory and cognition remain a mystery from psychiatric and neurological standpoints. In recent years, music therapy is being used to treat these precursors in forensic psychiatric hospitals and correctional facilities. Music therapy offers the mentally disordered accused multifaceted recovery-oriented care through reducing aggression, anxiety, and depression, and building therapeutic relationships with caregivers. Within the narrow breadth of literature available, the methods of administration and effects on patients’ rehabilitation are measured in many different ways.