Using Music to Address Trauma with Refugees: A Systematic Review and Recommendations

Refugees experience trauma and are more vulnerable than the general population to experiencing mental health conditions. Music may be used to support and enhance the lives of refugees. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize and describe the uses of music to address trauma for individuals who are refugees. The research questions included (a) What are the characteristics of studies using music to address trauma for people who are refugees? and (b) What are the outcomes of these studies, and how are these outcomes measured? The researchers gathered available literature from PsycInfo, ERIC, Sociological Abstracts, PubMed, Music Index, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Databases were searched using “music” AND “refugee.” Search filters aimed to select articles that were peer-reviewed and published quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies. Of the 1,318 studies first identified, 11 met the criteria for inclusion. Studies included qualitative and quantitative approaches; the most common research design was case study. The majority of participants were adult refugees from a variety of countries, with approximately a third of the studies conducted in Australia. The majority of interventionists identified as music therapists. Treatment length varied from several days to 18 months, typically occurring once or twice weekly. Music interventions included a combination of methods, with receptive and recreative most common. Outcomes included improvements in behavioral and psychological functioning, with a variety of measurement tools used. Implications and recommendations for music therapy clinical practice are discussed.