Euterpe music therapy methodology and procedure algorithms

Abstract

Introduction: As highlighted by the scientific literature, music therapy (MT) represents a significant non-pharmacological intervention within neurorehabilitation programs. MT offers benefits in the recovery process and enhances the quality of life for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. A review of the literature reveals a lack of MT models focusing on real-time personalized composition using electronic music techniques. Furthermore, studies on MT conducted within a multisensory therapeutic context are limited. Recent literature reviews on MT in telerehabilitation have highlighted that the application of the Euterpe Method (EM) is complex due to limited technical information available and the combined background required for music therapists to replicate the EM protocol. Methods: This paper presents a manual which specifies the procedures and algorithms of the EM, developed during a research program conducted in a pediatric hospital in Italy. The prerogative of the EM is the use of procedures aimed at creating personalized therapeutic compositions within a multisensory environment. Discussion: The efficacy and resilience of the EM have been demonstrated in two experimental studies. The first focused on the use of telerehabilitation in children with developmental disorders, while the second involved hospitalized children with cerebral palsy. Conclusion: This study integrates medicine, neuroscience, and MT to develop personalized interventions in pediatrics, fostering collaboration among specialists and families, enhancing patient well-being, and opening new therapeutic perspectives, while ensuring the replicability of the EM approach.