The impact of music therapy on functional outcomes for children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury in paediatric hospital settings. Initial program theories and causal mechanisms from a realist inquiry

Twyford, Karen, Taylor, Susan, Pool, Jonathan, Valentine, Jane, Krause, Amanda, and Thornton, Ashleigh (2025) The impact of music therapy on functional outcomes for children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury in paediatric hospital settings. Initial program theories and causal mechanisms from a realist inquiry. In: [Presented at the the 16th National Allied Health Conference]. From: 16th National Allied Health Conference: Empowering Lives, Shaping Healthcare, 11-13 August 2025, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

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Abstract

A realist inquiry is currently underway to examine the impact of music therapy on functional outcomes for children and adolescents with ABI during inpatient hospital or rehabilitation admissions. This research follows three phases, development, testing, and consolidation of program theory (see Figure 1), and uses multiple case studies to test these theories. Data collection includes surveys, observations, and focus group interviews with stakeholders such as patients, families, music therapists, and hospital ABI teams.

This inquiry explores whether a causal relationship exists between music therapy and patient outcomes for children and adolescents with ABI. Phase 1 identifies initial program theories (IPTs) and key mechanisms influencing functional outcomes in hospital settings, both nationally and internationally. Findings will inform the next phases of the realist evaluation.


Item ID:	93955
Item Type:	Conference Item (Poster)
Keywords:	music therapy, IPT, realist review, neurorehabilitation, acquired brain injury (ABI), realist inquiry, initial program theories
Related URLs:	https://iahc.au/2025-nahc-conference/
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2026 01:03
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology @ 40% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science > 420103 Music therapy @ 60%
SEO Codes:	28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280121 Expanding knowledge in psychology @ 50% 13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1301 Arts > 130102 Music @ 50%
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