Nordic Journal of Music Therapy

03/11/2025

Welcome to November! Join us to learn more about the latest development in music therapy!

This week, we are excited to feature articles from the newest issue of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy (Volume 34, Issue 5)! The first article is titled The development of the Person Attuned Musical Interactions modified version (PAMI-M) for UK care home staff working with residents with dementia”, authored by Bryony Waters, Martin Orrell, Hanne Mette Ridder, Julie Kolbe Krøier and Orii McDermott.

Previously listed as our ONLINE FIRST publication, this article is now included in our newest issue. It is OPEN ACCESS, so click the link below to access the full paper!
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08098131.2025.2488753

This is the first of two articles by lead author Bryony Waters and her team in this issue. We'll be introducing the second article soon, so stay tuned!

Latest music therapy research on dementia care is published on NJMT🌟!

This new online-first article is titled “The development of the Person Attuned Musical Interactions modified version (PAMI-M) for UK care home staff working with residents with dementia”, authored by Bryony Waters, Martin Orrell, Hanne Mette Ridder, Julie Kolbe Krøier and Orii McDermott.

The article introduces PAMI-M, a tailored music therapy training program for UK care home staff! Adapted from Denmark’s Person Attuned Musical Interaction (PAMI), this program equips care staff with skills to foster non-verbal connections with dementia residents through music. By streamlining training for UK settings, PAMI-M empowers staff to enhance resident well-being despite diverse care home challenges.

The authors write, "The modified version of Person Attuned Musical Interaction (PAMI-M) was designed to be flexible enough to accommodate variations in staff experiences, attributes, and knowledge, ensuring equal opportunities for its adoption."
Read more about this innovative adaptation: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08098131.2025.2488753

Congratulations to the authors on this important work in music therapy! Thanks to the editor, reviewers, and technical team for supporting the development of this publication! How do you think tailored staff training can transform dementia care? Share your ideas! 🎵💬

27/10/2025

📚 What is the structure of formatting a research article for NJMT publication?

Last week, we shared the different types of empirical studies featured in NJMT. To structure their manuscript within this genre, authors are advised to follow the IMRaD principle whenever possible:

📝Introduction: Problem of investigation, literature review, and research aims/questions/hypothesis

📝Method: Design, participants and setting, outcomes, intervention, data analysis.

📝Ethical Considerations: Approval for human research, informed consent/assent
📝Results: Representative empirical material.

📝Discussion: Summary of findings in relation to the larger body of knowledge, music therapy implications, limitations and recommendations, conclusion

Read our full instruction for authors here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?show=instructions&journalCode=rnjm20



Image description:
The center of the image features “Instructions for Authors Series” and “IMRad Priniciple”, with a list including “Introduction”, “Methods”, “Ethical Considerations”, “Results”, and “Discussions”. The background includes commonly used instruments in music therapy/musc-based interventions laying on a green background. The below is the journal name and 2025 cover image “The Pianist”.

24/10/2025

NJMT Volume 34 Issue 5 Overview📒

The last issue of our journal in 2025 is now available online! This issue features a letter to the editor, 2 original research articles and 2 essays⬇️

📮Letter to the Editor

1️⃣Do we need a reporting guideline for music-based interventions?
Author: Sheri L. Robb

🎵Research Articles

1️⃣The development of the Person Attuned Musical Interactions modified version (PAMI-M) for UK care home staff working with residents with dementia
Authors: Bryony Waters, Martin Orrell, Hanne Mette Ridder, Julie Kolbe Krøier & Orii McDermott

2️⃣The development of the Person Attuned Musical Interactions modified version (PAMI-M) for UK care home staff working with residents with dementia
Authors: Bryony Waters, Martin Orrell, Hanne Mette Ridder, Julie Kolbe Krøier & Orii McDermott

🖋️Essays

1️⃣A framework to support prioritisation of music therapy resources in an acute paediatric healthcare setting
Authors: Janeen Bower, Rebecca Blakeney, Lauren Miller, Jo Rimmer, Melina Roberts & Elizabeth McLean
2️⃣ Navigating the “Lil Peep” paradox: Professional discretion in music therapy for young people
Authors: Viggo Krüger &Lars Tuastad

Congratulations to all of the authors who have publications featured in this issue. We would like to extend our gratitude to the editors, reviewers, and copyeditors for their contributions to the publishing process. 🎉

You are very welcome to view these articles through your institution or subscription in the following link: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rnjm20/34/5



Image description:
The image depicts a large title, “Issue Overview” and subtitle “Volume 34, Issue 5 (2025)”, followed by a list of articles. On the bottom, it features the journal name, along with the journal’s 2025 cover image, “The Pianist.” The background of the image is a pale color.

19/10/2025

📚 What to publish in NJMT? Empirically-based research articles!

Last week, we introduced the 7 unique genres that NJMT invites submissions for. Each week, we’ll explore one genre in detail! This week, we’re starting with the first genre: Empirically-based research. This category includes original research reports based on quantitative and/or qualitative empirical data. 🎵

Quantitative studies include Study Protocols, Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT), Non-randomised controlled trials (CCT), Systematic Reviews (SR) and so on!

Qualitative studies include case studies and interpretive ethnography and biography, informed by a large range of perspectives, such as grounded theory, phenomenology, hermeneutics and critical theory, as well as feminist, postmodern, and postcolonial perspectives.

And Mixed Methods Studies!

There are links of various guideline provided in our instruction for authors webpage, please check them out before you consider to submit to our journal!

Read our full instruction for authors here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?show=instructions&journalCode=rnjm20



Image description:
The background includes commonly used instruments in music therapy/music-based interventions, lying on a green background. Below is the journal name and 2025 cover image “The Pianist”

Texts:
1st Image: “What does NJMT publish?”, “Instruction for Authors Series”, and “Empirically-based research”
2nd Image: A mind map with “Empirically-based research” on the left-hand side, “Quantitative research”, “Qualitative research” and “Mixed methods research” on the right-hand side.

13/10/2025

📚 Interested to publish in NJMT? Follow our “Instruction for Authors” series!

New to publishing in music therapy? Whether you’ve written your first research article, read a book that sparked ideas, or want to share clinical insights—there’s a place for you!

Journals don’t just publish empirical studies. Each one has its own scope and welcomes a range of article types. For example, the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy invites submissions across seven unique genres:

1️⃣ Empirically-based research (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research studies)
2️⃣ Literature-based research (theoretical studies, historical research, and review articles)
3️⃣ Essays
4️⃣ Perspectives on Practice
5️⃣ Invited Commentaries
6️⃣ Book Reviews
7️⃣ Letters to the Editor

Each genre has its own unique style and requirements. Starting this week, we’ll take a closer look at each one to help you understand what’s expected. In this “Instructions for Authors” series, we’ll also share practical tips and steps for both new and experienced authors considering publication in our journal. Stay tuned and get ready to take the next step in your publishing journey with us! 💭

Of course, you can read our full instruction for authors here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/action/authorSubmission?show=instructions&journalCode=rnjm20

09/10/2025

World Mental Health Day 10 Oct ♥️

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year. It is a vital reminder of the importance of mental well-being and the powerful role of music therapy in supporting positive mental health outcomes. Music therapy fosters healing through creativity, emotional expression, and connection, making it especially meaningful for children and youth facing mental health challenges.

The article “Moments of fun: Narratives of children’s experiences of music therapy in mental health care” by G**o Parr Klyve and Randi Rolvsjord (2022) explores children’s personal stories of music therapy in a hospital setting. Their study found that “fun” was a central theme—an expression reflecting joy, empowerment, and therapeutic potential beyond entertainment.

The authors write, “Through listening to the children’s own experiences, fun proved to be an essential part of music therapy in mental health care with children, not as mere entertainment, but as something of existential importance and with great therapeutic potentials.” This highlights how fun in music therapy may support children’s well-being and empowerment.💪

You are welcome to read this insightful open access article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/08098131.2022.2055114

In honour of Mental Health Day, let’s recognise the role of play and joy in therapeutic practices and advocate for accessible creative therapies that nurture holistic mental health for all children.

Food for Thought: What does “fun” mean to you?

[Image description: A rectangular image features a central quote in bold, black text. It also includes details about the article, such as the title, authors, journal issue, and page numbers (see post captions for text). The background shows three musical instruments common in music therapy: shakers, a tambourine, and a xylophone. The overall design is clean and vibrant, emphasising the quote.]

08/10/2025

New Letter to the Editor! 📨

Volume 34(5) of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy (NJMT) is now available online! As we mentioned in our last post, this issue features a letter to the editor written by Sheri L. Robb. The letter, titled “Do we need a reporting guideline for music-based interventions?” highlights the sustained problems with music intervention reporting and defines what a reporting guideline is and its intended purpose.

Robb then introduced a revised version of the Reporting Guideline for Music-based Interventions (2025), which features an explanation and elaboration guide that explains each checklist item and its importance. She writes, “Reporting Guidelines for Music-Based Interventions (RG-MBI) does not suggest what authors should study, how to develop an intervention, or the methodologies that should be employed. Rather, it provides a checklist that encourages authors to identify essential features of their intervention, with authors deciding how best to report that information.”

Currently, the 2025 version of RG-MBI is included in NJMT’s author instructions. Interested authors can visit the respective page on our website for more information! 💻

🔗You can read the full letter to the editor here via your subscription or institute:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08098131.2025.2546705?src=exp-la

[Image description]: The image features a large title, ” NEW LETTER TO THE EDITOR,“ followed by the subtitle ” Do we need a reporting guideline for music-based interventions?“ and issue information. In the center, there’s a quote from Sheri L. Robb from the letter (see caption). The bottom of the image displays the journal name and the 2025 journal cover “The Pianist.” The background features a person writing a letter.

02/10/2025

NJMT’s new issue is available online! 📖

Volume 34(5) of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy (NJMT) is now available online! This issue features a letter to the editor and four original research articles.

We begin by highlighting the Editorial by our Editor-in-Chief, Grace Thompson, titled “Clarity and specificity in research reporting.” In this editorial, Grace announces the recent update to the author instructions, which now include the “Reporting guidelines for music-based interventions” (RG-MBI) by Robb, Springs, et al. (2025) and Robb, Story, et al. (2025). Grace highlights that the aim of the checklist is to enhance the clarity of descriptions to allow better interpretation and replication of study findings. In our next social media post, we will feature a Letter to the Editor by Dr. Sheri Robb, the lead author of the checklist.

🔗You can read the full editorial here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08098131.2025.2546706?src=exp-la

The image features a large title, ”NEW EDITORIAL,“ followed by the subtitle ”Clarity and specificity in research reporting“ and issue information. In the center, there’s a quote from Grace Thompson, NJMT’s editor-in-chief, announcing the inclusion of “Reporting guidelines for music-based interventions (RG-MBI)” in the author instructions. Below that is a portrait of Grace smiling with her head slightly tilted. She has short, bobbed hair with brown and grey tones and is wearing light pink glasses. Grace is dressed in a navy t-shirt with pink Australian wildflowers and stands in front of a white-painted brick wall. The bottom of the image displays the journal name and the 2025 journal cover “The Pianist.” The background features a checklist.

30/09/2025

Behind the Scenes! Annual Meeting of the Advisory Editorial Board ✨

Each year, the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy holds an annual meeting where the advisory editorial board (AEB), editorial team, and a representative from Taylor & Francis come together. The editorial team and representative provide updates on the journal’s progress, including editorial team changes, metrics, and social media, and invite feedback from the advisory board. It’s an important space for editors and scholars worldwide to discuss the publication process and journal development, as well as to share knowledge and experiences. Thanks to the team for their continued commitment to advancing music therapy research. 🙏📝

In October, we will launch a new series of social media posts! Stay tuned!



Image Description:
The image is titled “Behind the Scenes” subtitled “Annual Meeting of Advisory Editorial Board 2025”. The background features a circle of outstretched hands reaches toward the sky, symbolizing unity and connection from many places for one shared purpose. At the bottom, the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy and the journal’s 2025 cover image, “The Pianist,” are shown.

The center of the image is a group photo, showing from left to right:
o Top row - Grace Thompson (Editor in chief); Sunny Wong (Associator Editor of Communications); Stine Camilla Blichfeldt-Ærø (Associate Editor); Jelena Golubovic (Associate Editor)
o Second row - Andeline dos Santos (Associate Editor); Monika Geretsegger (Managing Editor); Cochavit Elefant (AEB member); Lars Ole Bonde (AEB member)
o Third row - Adam Burbage (Acting Portfolio Manager); Hanne Mette Ridder (AEB member); Josephine Geipel (Associate Editor); Ming Hung Hsu (Associate Editor - Book Reviews)
o Fourth row - Alice Pehk (AEB member); Bill Matney (Associate Editor); Beth Pickard (AEB member)

23/09/2025

🎉Welcome our new associate editor – Dr Jelena Golubovic! ✍️

Today, we’re excited to welcome our new associate editor, Dr. Jelena Golubovic! She joined the NJMT editorial team in August 2025 and will coordinate manuscript peer reviews while helping develop the journal. Jelena brings valuable expertise in music therapy for older adults, focusing her research on clinical trials, translational research, and evidence synthesis.📊

Jelena writes, “I’m a music therapist with a PhD from the Norwegian Academy of Music. My doctoral research focused on music and delirium in acutely ill older adults, and included a randomized pilot and feasibility trial as well as a systematic review with meta-analysis. I have long-standing clinical experience and specialization in music therapy for older adults, particularly in the context of neurological conditions such as dementia and delirium. My research expertise spans clinical trials, translational research, and evidence synthesis, including systematic reviews with meta-analyses and narrative syntheses. Originally from Serbia, I’ve lived and worked in Norway for the past 20 years. Over the next two years, I’ll be a postdoctoral researcher at Indiana University, in Indianapolis, and I’m truly excited to join the wonderful NJMT team.”

We’re thrilled to have Dr. Jelena Golubovic bring her expertise and passion to the NJMT team—welcome aboard, Jelena! 👏🏻



Image description:
The image features the title, “Welcome Our New Team Member” at the top. In the center is a portrait of Associate Editor Dr. Jelena Golubovic, smiling with her head slightly turned to the right. She has long black hair and is wearing a khaki shirt against a black background. Below the photo, her name “Dr. Jelena Golubovic” and role “Associate Editor” are displayed. The overall background of the image is light blue, with the journal name and 2025 cover shown at the bottom.

13/09/2025

Interested to know more about therapeutic songwriting in elderly care?📝

We are pleased to introduce a new article in NJMT titled “Therapeutic songwriting to enhance wellbeing and decrease depression in older people living in residential care: A lyrics analysis of participant-composed songs,” authored by Jasmin Eickholt, Jeanette Tamplin, and Imogen N. Clark.

As part of a larger pilot study, this article focuses on the lyrics of songs composed by four participants living with late-life depression in a residential care facility in Germany. The authors explored themes present in these lyrics, including contact with family and friends, going out, reminiscing, and expressing gratitude.

The authors write “Our findings suggest that the therapeutic songwriting program can be recommended to enable people with late-life depression to shift their focus from negative to positive perception, engage in social and meaningful activities, and reflect on their social roles.”

You can read this open-access article via:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/08098131.2025.2497802

Congratulations to the authors on this important work in music therapy! Thanks to the editor, reviewers, and technical team for supporting the development of this publication! 🎉

08/09/2025

Check out the latest article in NJMT to learn about the application of Guided Imagery and Music🎶

This study is titled “The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music forwomen with non-metastatic breast cancer: Exploring effects on distress, quality of life, and neuroendocrine hormone level,” Authored by Cathy H. McKinney, Marilyn F. Clark, Michael H. Antoni, Mahendra Kumar & Adarsh M. Kumar, it aimed to investigate the effects of a series of six individual GIM sessions on distress, Quality of Life, and relevant physiological markers(cortisol and melatonin) in women recovering from diagnosis and treatment of non-metastatic (Stage I or Stage II) breast cancer.

The authors write, “The series of GIM sessions were associated with significantly reduced levels of depressed mood and TMD increased emotional and social well-being and well-being associated with breast cancer concerns, and decreased intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviors related to cancer”. Although the authors pointed out that, because the sample size was small, the findings should be interpreted with caution, they noted statistically significant improvements in relevant psychosocial variables, highlighting the intervention’s power to drive positive psychological change.

You can read this article through your subscription or institution via:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/08098131.2025.2497803

Congratulations to the authors on this important work in music therapy! Thanks to the editor, reviewers, and technical team for supporting the development of this publication! 🎉