Twyford, Karen, Thornton, Ashleigh, Taylor, Susan, Valentine, Jane, Pool, Jonathan, and Krause, Amanda (2026) A realist inquiry on the impact of music therapy on functional outcomes for children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury in interprofessional paediatric hospital settings. In: [Presented at 2026 World Congress of Music Therapy]. From: WCMT 2026: 18th World Congress of Music Therapy, 07-12 July 2026, Bologna, Italy.

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Abstract

Introduction: There is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of music therapy in adult neurorehabilitation, and particularly, acquired brain injury (ABI). However, the causal mechanisms of how and why music therapy intervention works for paediatric cohorts have not been explored. Realist inquiry offers an opportunity to understand what works, how, for whom and in what context, by developing and testing program theories through an iterative process. Program theories explain how the various components of interventions, contexts, actors, mechanisms, and outcomes (ICAMOs) of a program influence and interact with one another. We are investigating the impact of music therapy for children and adolescents with ABI within interprofessional paediatric hospital settings and developing theory on how music therapy produces functional outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we are conducting a realist inquiry comprising a realist literature review and a realist evaluation. To refine and consolidate program theories, we are engaging a diverse group of stakeholders through surveys and focus groups. Participants include children with an ABI, their families and carers, medical and allied health professionals in Australia; and music therapists working in ABI teams across tertiary paediatric hospitals internationally.

Results: It is anticipated that through an iterative process causal relationships existing between music therapy treatment and paediatric patient outcomes will be identified. We will share comprehensive results including the program theories, causal mechanisms and a conceptual framework exploring the impact of music therapy on functional outcomes for children and adolescents with ABI in hospital settings. We hypothesise the role of music therapy within paediatric neurorehabilitation teams is highlighted as a key contextual factor influencing outcomes.

Discussion: Realist methodology uncovers underlying causal factors which provide deeper and broader insights into social realities. Diverse stakeholder engagement provides refined program theories and a conceptual framework consolidating the role of music therapy within interprofessional paediatric neurorehabilitation teams.

Item ID:	93956
Item Type:	Conference Item (Abstract / Summary)
Keywords:	music therapy, paediatric neurorehabilitation, realist inquiry, interprofessional, ABI, acquired brain injury, realist review, paediatric hospital setting
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2026 05:44
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 @ 30% 13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1301 Arts > 130102 Music @ 30% 20 HEALTH > 2003 Provision of health and support services > 200301 Allied health therapies (excl. mental health services) @ 40%
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