Abstract

The use of music therapy to support patients and families receiving traditional (oncology-based) palliative care has been well established in research and practice (Bradt & Dileo, 2010). In this study, intervention research methodology (Fraser, Richman, Galinsky & Day, 2009) was used to develop a music therapy intervention manual for the emergent sub-specialty of neuro-palliative care. Two participants (one neuro-palliative care nurse clinician, one music therapist) were interviewed regarding applications of music therapy for patients with end-stage brain tumours, strokes, and progressive neurologic disorders. These findings, combined with the researcher’s own clinical experience, suggest the essential components of a music therapy program for neuro-palliative care, give detailed descriptions of music therapy interventions for neuro-palliative care, and outline patient and family needs and goals which music therapy may address in a neuro-palliative care settings.