How Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy Can Work Together
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Our Managing Director and registered music therapist, Natalie Oliveri, recently teamed up with Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist Michael Crisci from Occupational Therapy for Children (OTFC) at Mile End to discuss how their practices complement one another. Michael has a strong understanding of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI).
ASI is the foundation sensory theory and practice for helping individuals integrate and regulate responses to their sensory world and enables someone to reach an optimal state for learning and skill development. Natalie enjoys discussing the intersection of music and brain function, emphasising how to maximise music’s potential for health, rehabilitation and well-being.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) is diverse and covers various aspects with the aim to support people to engage in occupations (i.e. doing the things they want to do in their life).
Michael’s work at OTFC focuses on how individuals perceive and process sensory information and how they interact with their world.
This sensory integration approach helps people manage and respond to sensory stimuli while working on functional skills required for everyday life. Such strategies support sensory modulation, which is the body’s ability to filter sensory information in someone’s world.
“This approach helps individuals develop better self-regulation and support finding a more optimal alert state to engage in everyday activities,” says Michael Crisci. “We work with clients to manage their sensory input in ways that make their environment feel safer and more manageable, improving their ability to carry out their daily life.”
Micheal Crisci, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist at Occupational Therapy for Children (OTFC)
In their discussion, they explored how music therapy aligns well with OT. Music engages multiple areas of the brain and registered music therapists know how to use music to help individuals engage, regulate their emotions and improve cognitive and physical outcomes.
“For example, in music therapy, we use rhythm, melody and harmony to stimulate different parts of the brain,” says Natalie. “Research supports music’s ability to influence mood, regulate the body and motivate participation. When combined with sensory integration strategies, it can help an individual get more from a therapeutic experience.”
One example is how music can motivate clients to engage in challenging OT tasks. Research in music therapy and neuroscience shows that music activates the brain’s reward circuitry, releasing dopamine, which improves motivation and focus. This is especially helpful when a client is working through a difficult task or learning a new skill in OT.
“Music can help bridge the gap when a client is hesitant or needing additional motivation to participate,” adds Natalie. “For instance, we’ve seen clients respond positively to the rhythmic aspect of music during an OT activity involving movement, making it feel more like play than work.”
Integrating Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Integrating music therapy into OT sessions also introduces the concept of entrainment, where the body naturally synchronises with the rhythm of music. Heart rate, breathing and movement can be influenced by music’s tempo and intensity, making it easier for clients to regulate their responses and engage in therapy.
“Learning about entrainment in the context of music therapy was a revelation for me. I realised how it music can assist clients alert levels and support regulation,” Michael says. “The right music can help them build skills of self-regulation by allowing their bodies to use music to alter their alert states and support an optimal level of arousal needed for attention and engagement in daily tasks”
While music therapy and OT cross over in many ways, they are still distinct professions with different methods and goals. In OT, the focus may be on improving motor skills, sensory processing, social interaction or daily living activities. By contrast, music therapy may focus more on emotional regulation, communication, or creative expression.
“We might work on similar areas, but our approaches are complementary,” says Natalie. “For example, an OT might focus on improving a person’s hand-eye coordination, while I could demonstrate how music can support this task. I could consult on boosting their motivation to participate by incorporating music or engaging them in musical instrument play that exercises hand-eye coordination in collaboration with the OT. I might also explore whether the person needs assistance with emotional expression, which could enhance their engagement by making them feel heard and valued. It’s exciting how we can work together to achieve outcomes more quickly and efficiently.”
Natalie and Michael enjoy discussing the similarities and uniqueness of different approaches and how they can leverage music for regulation. Their conversations allow them to learn from one another’s professions and better understand how to support each other in providing therapy that makes a difference.
Michael says, “Music can be a powerful tool in OT sessions. When we see a child light up and fully engage in a task because of music’s motivational effect, it highlights how these therapies can work together to support our clients.”
Natalie says, “Collaborating with OTs like Michael allows us to share skills and take a holistic approach to our work. It involves finding the right balance where music becomes a therapeutic tool rather than just an additional element.”
For more information about OT, visit the OTFC website.
Written by Natalie Oliveri, Director at Creative Therapy Adelaide and Micheal Crisci, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist at Occupational Therapy for Children (OTFC)
