Music in Healthcare evidence review

This evidence review draws together some of the academic research relating to the benefits of music making – both generally, and in healthcare settings, and presents it with evaluation data submitted by Youth Music grantholders undertaking this kind of work.

The evidence review analyses qualitative evaluation data from eight Youth Music funded projects that took place in healthcare settings in England between 2013 and 2017, exploring the musical, personal and social outcomes of music delivery for their young participants. There are also workforce and organisational outcomes that have implications for the arts and healthcare sectors explored in the review, followed by a summary of some of the more health-specific outcomes that are not found as commonly in other Youth Music funded work.

This evidence review will contribute to the growing body of writing about this area of practice, and enable others to understand more about the impact of funded musical interventions in hospitals.