‘‘Some Light at the End of the Tunnel’’: Exploring Users’ Evidence for the Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Adult Mental Health Settings

摘要: This study responds to the current demand for evidence of effectiveness music therapy in adult psychiatric care and rehabilitation. The qualitative, idiographic, user-based perspective also growing requirement that ‘‘evidence-based practice’’ take into account patients’ needs, experiences, evaluations services. is based on verbal data from 19 patients with chronic mental health problems who completed at least 10 individual sessions professional a London unit. In-depth analysis semistructured interviews using interpretive phenomenological anal- ysis elicits experiences process its varied benefits them relation their symptoms, coping strategies, overall quality life. suggest how approach taken this situation often works users’ long-standing relationship music, as expressed through ‘‘music-health-illness narratives.’’ Participation has itself but can help reestablish ongoing use health- promoting resource strategy lives. Keywords therapy, improvisation, psychiatry, rehabilitation,