JB Music Therapy

04/07/2026

Music therapy goals can be misunderstood.

Myth:
Music therapy is about fixing what’s “wrong.”

Fact:
Music therapy is about supporting what’s strong.

While we are often referred due to a diagnosis—brain injury, stroke, autism, anxiety, stress—our work doesn’t stop there.

We work alongside the diagnosis, while connecting with the part of each person that supports emotional wellbeing, identity, and connection.

We focus on what can be strengthened.

We don’t define people by their disease, diagnosis, or challenge—we meet them as whole people.

Because who someone is matters just as much as what they are going through.

💛

04/04/2026

Co-treatments make a difference—each bringing our expertise to support the same person or group, in the same moment.

A recent study exploring co-treatment between physical therapists and music therapists in late-stage Huntington’s disease highlights just how powerful this can be.

When movement support and simple rhythmic cueing were combined, participants showed improved control, coordination, and safety.

But what stands out most is not just the outcomes—it’s the relationship between the professionals. Shared goals. Clear roles. Mutual respect. Real-time responsiveness - leading to positive outcomes.

Our work with individuals living with Huntington’s disease began in our very first year of practice—starting in 1991 with a camp in Calgary—and has continued over the years as part of interdisciplinary teams in complex care environments.

It’s encouraging to see research beginning to formalize what experienced teams have long understood in practice.

This study reflects what many of us have seen firsthand:
➡️ Simple, intentional music cues can support movement in profound ways
➡️ Co-treatment is not just collaborative—it’s transformational when done well

Grateful to see this work being explored and documented.

🔗https://zurl.co/rTpks

A new study looking into combined music and physical therapy shows that simple rhythmic cues work better than complex music or instructions, helping to improve movement control and reducing chorea.

04/02/2026

JB Music Therapy is so proud to have been part of this initiative, and we’re so pleased to see this work being shared and recognized internationally. Led by Dr. Stephanie Plamondon, this project explored the implementation of the Music Care Digital Medical Device in medical units across Alberta Health Services.

The results—showing meaningful reductions in pain and anxiety—reflect the growing role digital music therapeutics can play as a supportive, evidence-informed tool in healthcare. Congratulations to Dr. Plamondon and the entire team on this well-deserved recognition. We are grateful to contribute to work that continues to move patient-centred care forward.

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 105(2S):S1-S47, February 2026.

03/31/2026

We’re excited to share that Patrick McIntosh is stepping into the role of Digital Exploration at JB Music Therapy.

Already a valued part of our team, Patrick brings a thoughtful, curious approach to how new resources and experiences can meaningfully support music therapists in their work. In this role, he helps us explore, test, and shape how digital approaches can enhance care delivery, therapist effectiveness, and client engagement.

As part of our leadership team, Patrick also contributes to our broader strategic planning—helping ensure our growth continues to reflect both innovation and the real-world needs of the people we serve.

We’re so glad to have him in this role as we continue to evolve and expand our work.

💛

03/24/2026

Music Care by the Room 217 Foundation recently published a piece on leadership in music therapy, featuring our founder, Jennifer Buchanan.

It’s a meaningful reflection on the role of communication, connection, and ongoing growth in shaping this work—something we strive to bring into every setting we serve.

Read the full article here. https://zurl.co/tIB6U

Photo:

03/21/2026

3 common misconceptions we often hear about music therapy 🎵(and the reality behind them):

𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛 𝟭: '𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰'
REALITY: Music therapy is an evidence-based healthcare profession where certified therapists use specific music-based interventions to address physical, emotional, and cognitive goals. From ICU recovery to speech rehabilitation, we personalize therapeutic exercises, experiences and engagement.


𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛 𝟮: '𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁'
REALITY: No musical background needed! Music therapy works with your natural response to music, whether you're a concert pianist or have never played a note.

𝗠𝗬𝗧𝗛 𝟯: '𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁'
REALITY: While emotional wellness is important, music therapy also supports physical rehabilitation, pain management, memory, and speech recovery. We work alongside healthcare teams to enhance overall treatment outcomes.

Which of these surprised you? Share below! 💗

03/20/2026

In acute care, music therapy’s purpose is not only to support patients, but their loved ones as well. I remember a moment in the hospital’s stroke unit where a patient was visiting with her family and two great grandchildren. When I entered the room, I could sense their uncertainty about all that was going on. Following the stroke, their great grandmother had experienced significant challenges with her abilities to speak and move. As many of us know, it isn’t always easy to visit a loved one in a difficult setting.

As the family shared words about their loved one, the room began to warm. Family members chose music of importance to the patient, and as I played the guitar, her great grandchildren brought the songs alive using small instruments. I will always remember the way this patient started to smile as she held her great grandchild’s hand and watched them play along to Elvis.

In a moment where words could not bridge the gap between family members, music filled the space with comfort, connection and understanding.

Music therapists provide family-centred care in our hospitals across Calgary. Health Services

03/17/2026

Emerging research continues to show that music supports vagal tone, reduces stress hormones, and improves emotional regulation. When rhythm, melody, and relationship combine (such as during music therapy), the brain shifts toward safety and connection.

Therefore, music therapy isn’t just “nice to have.”
It is vagal activation.
It is regulation.
It is nervous system work.

New research supports what we have witnessed clinically: a 2026 systematic review showed that music therapy is associated with increased parasympathetic nervous system activity — measured by heart rate variability — suggesting deeper nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and calming effects.

📌 Research snapshot:
Music therapy and vagally mediated heart rate variability: A systematic review and narrative synthesis
https://zurl.co/150sC

While current evidence indicates that there are potential positive effects of music therapy on vmHRV, more high-quality research, especially regarding HRV methodology, interpretation and reporting, is needed. A high risk of bias, small sample sizes and heterogeneity in all aspects of the studies pre...

03/15/2026

Over the past few months, our research team has been asking some important questions.

As part of the development of the Wellplayed digital wellness platform, we conducted 7 focus groups with 32 participants including university students, working adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers across Alberta.

We explored something simple but important:

How do people actually use music to support their emotional wellbeing?

Here are a few things we learned.

🎵 Emotional wellbeing is not about being happy all the time.
Participants described wellbeing as balance — the ability to regulate emotions and recover from stress.

🎧 Music is already one of the most trusted tools people use.
People reported using music to:
• reduce stress
• improve mood
• process difficult emotions
• focus while studying or working
• regulate energy during daily routines

📱 People don’t want another demanding wellness app.
Participants shared that they prefer:
• short sessions (5–15 minutes)
• flexible check-ins when needed
• tools that fit naturally into daily routines

🔐 Trust matters. A lot.
Participants emphasized the importance of:
• clear data privacy
• transparency about how information is used
• the ability to control and export their own data

💡 Personalization is key.
Users want tools that adapt to their emotions, music preferences, and life context — not one-size-fits-all solutions.

One insight stood out above all:

People already turn to music when they need support.

Our goal with Wellplayed is simple — to translate insights from music therapy research and practice into tools people can use in everyday life.

We are deeply grateful to the students, caregivers, professionals, and community members who helped shape this work.

Your voices are helping us build something meaningful.

More to come.

Learn more about the Mathison–Littman Research Day at the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, where authors Research Coordinator Renee Pi and Research Assistant Theresa Nguyen presented their poster - https://zurl.co/HezOo

The work was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Stephanie Plamondon and co-authored by Felicia Lifton and Lauren Hui (not in attendance).

03/13/2026

MYTH: People with dementia can’t meaningfully engage or connect anymore.

FACT: Even in later stages of dementia, many people continue to respond to music and connect emotionally with others.

👉 Music therapy activates widespread brain networks, including areas linked to emotion and autobiographical memory.
👉 Music therapy reduces agitation and behavioural symptoms.
👉 Music therapy increases engagement and social interaction.

Dementia affects memory — it does not erase emotion, identity, or the capacity for connection. Music therapy can help access the strengths and the person who is there. 💛

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

A newly published review highlights how music therapy is increasingly recognized as a safe, person-centered, evidence-informed healthcare practice, supporting people across many areas of care including dementia, stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, mental health, autism, insomnia, and palliative care.

The article also speaks to something music therapists understand deeply: music has a unique way of engaging memory, emotion, movement, and connection — even when(and perhaps especially when) other forms of communication become difficult.

At JB Music Therapy, we are grateful to be part of a growing community of clinicians, researchers, tech developers and community champions helping to strengthen music therapy within healthcare, education and workplaces.

This article offers a thoughtful overview of where the field stands today — and where it is heading. "Embedding music therapy into national health policy, education, and reimbursement frameworks would support its transition from complementary practice to an essential element of person centered, evidence-based care, reaffirming the role of empathy, culture, and creativity in the modern therapeutic landscape."

As March continues, we celebrate Music Therapy Awareness Month here in Canada, and we look forward to sharing more during World Music Therapy Week in April.

🔗 Read the article: https://zurl.co/4jDFO

Music therapy has gained recognition as a safe, effective, and person-centered intervention that bridges neuroscience, medicine, and humanities. This review ...