Music Therapy for Schizophrenia: Can RNs Support Neurologically-Informed, Nonpharmacologic Interventions?
Molloy Faculty Mentor
Dr. Patricia Roth
Presenter Major
Nursing
Presentation Type
Poster
Location
H239, 2nd floor, Barbara H. Hagan Center for Nursing
Start Date
28-4-2025 5:55 PM
End Date
28-4-2025 6:55 PM
Description (Abstract)
Significance and Background: During a clinical rotation at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, our student group attended multiple inpatient music therapy sessions led by a licensed therapist on a locked unit for individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. These sessions appeared to offer meaningful emotional and behavioral benefits for patients. To explore whether there is evidence to support integrating music therapy more broadly into clinical psychiatric care, we reviewed four peer-reviewed studies examining music therapy's effect on schizophrenia symptom severity, engagement, neurobiological outcomes, and quality of life. Music therapy was found to activate brain regions involved in memory, language, and emotion, and may serve as a complementary therapy alongside pharmacologic treatment.
Purpose: To synthesize current literature on music therapy in adult inpatients with schizophrenia and examine how RNs can support its implementation and patient engagement through therapeutic alliance, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Intervention: This e-poster project analyzes four studies: a randomized controlled trial on therapeutic alliance and attendance, a neuroimaging study on brain connectivity changes, an EEG-based investigation of theta and gamma oscillations, and a systematic review summarizing outcomes across 13 RCTs. Each study revealed unique, measurable benefits of music therapy in reducing schizophrenia symptoms.
Evaluation: Across the reviewed literature, music therapy was associated with reduced positive and negative symptoms, enhanced therapeutic alliance, and measurable neurobiological improvements. RNs can help facilitate participation by educating patients, supporting attendance, and advocating for program funding and staff collaboration.
Future Implications: With proper advocacy, education, and support, music therapy could be expanded within inpatient psychiatric facilities as a cost-effective, evidence-based, non-invasive intervention that enhances outcomes and aligns with holistic nursing values. Future nursing-led studies might explore its effect post-discharge or in outpatient settings.
Discussion: Schizophrenia treatment must evolve to include multidisciplinary and nonpharmacologic approaches. RNs can play a vital role in facilitating music therapy by promoting patient engagement, building therapeutic trust, and encouraging sustained participation. These actions align with nursing’s broader mission of recovery-oriented, person-centered care and provide a framework for improving long-term psychiatric outcomes.
This work does not involve human participants so no IRB approval was solicited.
Related Pillar(s)
Community, Service, Study
Music Therapy for Schizophrenia: Can RNs Support Neurologically-Informed, Nonpharmacologic Interventions?
H239, 2nd floor, Barbara H. Hagan Center for Nursing
Significance and Background: During a clinical rotation at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, our student group attended multiple inpatient music therapy sessions led by a licensed therapist on a locked unit for individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. These sessions appeared to offer meaningful emotional and behavioral benefits for patients. To explore whether there is evidence to support integrating music therapy more broadly into clinical psychiatric care, we reviewed four peer-reviewed studies examining music therapy's effect on schizophrenia symptom severity, engagement, neurobiological outcomes, and quality of life. Music therapy was found to activate brain regions involved in memory, language, and emotion, and may serve as a complementary therapy alongside pharmacologic treatment.
Purpose: To synthesize current literature on music therapy in adult inpatients with schizophrenia and examine how RNs can support its implementation and patient engagement through therapeutic alliance, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Intervention: This e-poster project analyzes four studies: a randomized controlled trial on therapeutic alliance and attendance, a neuroimaging study on brain connectivity changes, an EEG-based investigation of theta and gamma oscillations, and a systematic review summarizing outcomes across 13 RCTs. Each study revealed unique, measurable benefits of music therapy in reducing schizophrenia symptoms.
Evaluation: Across the reviewed literature, music therapy was associated with reduced positive and negative symptoms, enhanced therapeutic alliance, and measurable neurobiological improvements. RNs can help facilitate participation by educating patients, supporting attendance, and advocating for program funding and staff collaboration.
Future Implications: With proper advocacy, education, and support, music therapy could be expanded within inpatient psychiatric facilities as a cost-effective, evidence-based, non-invasive intervention that enhances outcomes and aligns with holistic nursing values. Future nursing-led studies might explore its effect post-discharge or in outpatient settings.
Discussion: Schizophrenia treatment must evolve to include multidisciplinary and nonpharmacologic approaches. RNs can play a vital role in facilitating music therapy by promoting patient engagement, building therapeutic trust, and encouraging sustained participation. These actions align with nursing’s broader mission of recovery-oriented, person-centered care and provide a framework for improving long-term psychiatric outcomes.
This work does not involve human participants so no IRB approval was solicited.
