Integrative perspectives on mindfulness, music and music therapy: A literature review

Integrating mindfulness with music therapy can enhance the musical experience, facilitate processes such as Guided Imagery and Music, and contribute to mental wellness through stress reduction, emotional support, and self-awareness. A review of 30 articles identified two core themes: psychodynamic perspectives of mindfulness and music therapy, and concepts of being present, letting go, nonattachment, and non-judgmental awareness. The findings offer a practical and theoretical framework for combining mindfulness-based practice and music therapy, providing a new outlook on the therapeutic relationship.

Study at a glance

Abstract

With increasing recognition of the advantage of working within a multidisciplinary team and interdisciplinary study for health, the incorporation of music and mindfulness across healthcare disciplines has become more common. The aim of this study was to explore the integrating theory and practice, key principles, and psychodynamic perspectives with respect to music therapy and mindfulness. Thirty articles were selected from electronic databases and grey literature. Conference abstracts and informal literature reviews were excluded. The articles were categorised and analysed according to methods, interventions, outcome measures and key messages. Key outcomes from the studies revealed that integrating mindfulness and music can enhance the musical experience, facilitate the music therapy process (e.g. Guided Imagery and Music), and contribute to mental wellness (e.g. stress reduction, emotional support, and self awareness). Based on the data analysis, two core themes were identified: a) psychodynamic perspectives of mindfulness and music therapy; and b) here and now, letting go, nonself, nonattachment and being non-judgmental. The link between music and mindfulness has been recognised during recent decades, and combining music and mindfulness demonstrated positive outcomes in the literature. The findings revealed several key perspectives and approaches between mindfulness-based practice (MBP) and music therapy. These findings can offer a new outlook to the therapeutic relationship and can give a practical and theoretical framework of combining mindfulness and music therapy.