http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center-for-music-and-medicine/index.html

Johns Hopkins Center for Music & Medicine, 600 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD (2025)

10/13/2025

A recent systematic review from de Witte et al (2025) in The Lancet’s EClinicalMedicine found that receptive music therapy methods, or combinations of receptive and active MT approaches, effectively reduced anxiety symptoms across multiple clinical populations. Their review cites numerous psychological benefits, including increased autonomy and quality of life, but highlights the need for greater understanding of music therapy’s effects on physiological and longer-term outcomes.

De Witte, M., Aalbers, S., Vink, A., Friederichs, S., Knapen, A., Pelgrim, T., Amit Lampit, Baker, F. A., & Hooren, S. van. (2025). Music therapy for the treatment of anxiety: a systematic review with multilevel meta-analyses. EClinicalMedicine, 84, 103293–103293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103293

Read it here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(25)00225-1/fulltext

10/10/2025

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. 🌷🧠🎶

Your mental health deserves attention, and we believe music can help. From stress relief to emotional support, music can play a key role in your well-being. At the Johns Hopkins Center for Music & Medicine, we continue to explore how music therapy and music medicine can help people with neurologic diagnoses thrive.

ID: Watercolor blue graphic with Johns Hopkins Center for Music & Medicine logo in top left, and a navy bar across the bottom with . A light blue heart contains a cartoon brain wearing headphones with music notes above. Text aligned with the edges of the heart reads, “World Mental Health Day.”

10/06/2025

Welcome to Rhea Vikas, who is joining our Center for Music and Medicine team over the next academic year as a Visiting Research Scholar! Rhea is pursuing her PhD at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, and has over five years of experience studying the intersection of music and medicine. With a background in public health, Rhea’s work explores how music can improve health outcomes for diverse communities.

We are so excited for Rhea to support our BEATs PD project and to visit Baltimore in November!

09/29/2025

Meet our Music for ADAM clinicians: Tara Jenkins, MT-BC, CDP, CMDCP & Rachelle Morgan, MA, MT-BC!

Tara is a board-certified music therapist, dementia care specialist, and founder of Harmony in Dementia. She is a co-author of Music, Memory, and Meaning and a national speaker currently pursuing her Master’s in Gerontology at UNC Wilmington.

Rachelle is the founder of Soundscaping Source, where she has been in clinical practice as a music therapist since 2004. She is on the faculty of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is the author of Listen, Sing, Dance, Play: Bring Musical Moments into the Rhythms of Caregiving.

ID1: Navy & white graphic: “Meet the Music for ADAM Clinicians.” 2 photos of Tara & Rachelle. .

ID2: White graphic w/ CMM logo, music notes, pic of Tara: "Meet the Music for ADAM clinicians." Q&A: “Why MT for AD? I’ve witnessed MT help people with AD & dementia communicate, express emotions & maintain relationships w/ others. It supports dignity & identity, offers comfort during challenging moments & creates opportunities for joy & connection. What does Music for ADAM virtual MT look like? Every session is unique, but we always start w/ personal music preferences—singing, sharing stories, exploring lyrics, or songwriting—creating a safe space for expression and connection. What do you love about Music for ADAM? I love working w/ people early in their dementia journey who are active in their communities and living with purpose. It breaks the stereotype that dementia means withdrawal—people can engage, connect, & be themselves at any stage of their journey.”

ID3: Same graphic w/ pic of Rachelle. "Many people have seen music bring back memories for people living with Alzheimer's disease. MT can hone in on this as well as other potential cognitive & emotional benefits. We share music together that is meaningful to the participant, sometimes singing or moving to music together, or listening to a recording & talking about the lyrics or memories that come up. The specifics of what we do depends on the participant's musical interests and wishes. I love hearing people's stories, especially the stories of music in their lives. "

09/21/2025

🧠 September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day 🎶

Studies show that music can engage memory, emotional, and communication networks in the brain, offering meaningful support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. At the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine, we are investigating how music-based interventions can complement medical care and improve quality of life —and we remain deeply committed to the well-being of people living with Alzheimer’s and their families, today and every day. 💜

ID: White graphic with JH Music Medicine logo top right and large text in mixed styles reading “World Alzheimer’s Day” next to a purple brain and blue backing. A navy blob contains graphics of an older adult and medical carer wearing yellow clothes next to a person playing the guitar with music notes between t hem. handle is bottom left.

09/15/2025

Learn more about our ongoing Music for ADAM research project, which is exploring the impact of virtual music therapy in the lives of people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Swipe to learn more ➡️ 🎶🖥️

Contact Dr. Kyu Kang (kkang19@jhmi.edu) for more information or if interested in participating.

ID1: White graphic with JH Music Medicine logo top right, curved text reading “Project Highlight” and a blue blob containing a graphic of a Zoom screen where people are making music and text “Music for Adam”. The title, “Alzheimer’s Disease and Autobiographical Memory” is below the blob, with curved lines in the remaining 3 corners. logo is center under the computer.

ID2: Same background graphic but with 2 blue boxes and free text beside them. The title reads “Music for ADAM: Project Highlight.” Boxes read “Why this matters” and “What we’re studying”. Text reads: “People with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease often face challenges with memory, mood, and quality of life, and current treatments don’t fully meet their needs.” and “Whether virtual music therapy can support memory, thinking, and emotional well-being in this population.” logo is bottom center.

ID3: Same graphic. 2 boxes read “How it works” and “Big Picture.” Text reads, “8 weeks of individual, reminiscence-based music therapy sessions over Zoom engage both the participant and their care partner. Behavioral questionnaires + MRI scans measure autobiographical memory, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and brain activity” and “This research will help us understand how music influences the brain and explore music therapy as an accessible, non-drug approach to Alzheimer’s care.”

09/12/2025

It’s conference season at the Center for Music and Medicine! Will we see you at the or annual meetings this month? Learn more about our team’s posters and stop by to say hi! 📊💬

ID: White graphic with JH Music Medicine logo in top right. Large text reads “Upcoming Posters” with the ANA and NCS logos depicted on either side. A navy box with rounded edges contains a vertical schedule with 3 posters listed. Text reads: “14 Sept. ANA in Baltimore @ 5:30pm. Creating a community advisory board in Parkinson’s Disease research: Challenges & considerations. Khamishon, R.*, Devlin, K*., BEATs-PD Advisory Board, Kang, K., Currens, L., Lu, E., Phelan, S., Choi, E., Willoughby, S., Pantelyat, A., & Mills, K. *Co-first authors. 15 Sept. ANA in Baltimore @ 5:30pm. Music therapy for neuropsychiatric symptoms in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: Exploring behavioral and brain network changes. Kang, K., Sterner, I., Winston, B., Li, D. J., Devlin, K., Barrett, F. S., Rosenberg, P., & Pantelyat, A. 19 Sept. NCS in Montreal @ 4pm. TEMPO: Establishing practice guidelines for delivery of music therapy in neurocritical care settings. Devlin, K., Ansari, J., Mathur, R., Shah, V., Pantelyat, A., & Suarez, J.” handle bottom center.

09/02/2025

Kerry & Jamie answer your questions: MT & the ICU!

ID1: White graphic with star shape and circles containing text “MT + ICU Q&A with Kerry & Jamie” and a photo of Kerry/Jamie. JH Music Medicine logo in top right and handle bottom left, with graphics of stars, music notes, and vital signs around.

ID2: Yellow and white graphic with similar graphics and text *MT + ICU Q&A” with CMM logo top right and handle bottom left. Two blue text bubbles contain Q&A responses above a photo of Jamie. “What are some of the most effective and beneficial music experiences you’ve used in the ICU? Offering presence, whether through music or not, is always incredibly meaningful in creating connection. I particularly love supporting parents in writing unique lullabies for their child; seeing them sing their special song is so beautiful!”

ID3: Same graphic w/ pic of Kerry. “MT should be standard of care in the ICU. How do you convince hospital admin of this? Numbers and stories help! We collect data to describe the landscape of MT services through the lens of reach, impact, and needs. We include direct quotes from unit staff and share about unique projects delivered (heartbeat songs, staff-facing MT initiatives, etc). We’ve also worked with hospital PR to raise awareness about MT.”

ID4: Same graphic w/ Jamie. “What is the evidence for music therapy in the pediatric cardiac ICU? MT in the PCICU is proven to reduce stress, pain, and anxiety in critically ill children, as well as support vital sign stabilization. Studies have also indicated improvements in parent-infant bonding and overall emotional well-being for both patients and families.”

ID5: Same graphic w/ Kerry. “hat’s a song you’ve learned recently that has been a bop? A top 5 album for me is “Revolver”, and I’ve recently been challenged to bring Beatles (deep cuts only!) to a session. 3 faves I learned to play were “And Your Bird Can Sing”, “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Taxman.”

ID6: Same graphic w/ Jamie. “What’s your favorite song to sing with patients? ANYTHING by SZA, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, or Stevie Wonder. I’ve had a surprising number of patients request these specific artists, and I love it every time.”

08/25/2025

“For a moment… I got carried away by the music.”🎵

In the intensive care unit (ICU), families may feel helpless. But this study from Saldaña-Ortiz et al (2025) shows how music therapy helps family members reconnect with their loved one—and themselves.

Family members of ICU patients say that music therapy:
✅ Brought calm and comfort during painful procedures
✅ Reduced anxiety
✅ Helped deepen relationships between patients, families, and staff
✅ Humanized the ICU environment

Music therapy in the ICU doesn’t just ease stress—it affirms humanity.

📖 Read the research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1322769625000137?casa_token=4lWwuHUrAecAAAAA:Txgu9VLBqEjT-RXP3Qmq-nhmIOvb7p41yVE7lESCbpicWcDDFkb5dWLg95kf-McqV-0dpXdS

ID: White graphic with navy, blue-green, and light yellow watercolor layers in the top left and bottom right corners. JH Music medicine logo is top right corner. Blue text reads, “Family perspectives on music therapy in the ICU (Saldaña -Ortiz et al., 2025). 4 vertically-stacked navy, blue green, and yellow boxes contain icons of hands, hearts, a brain, and people surrounding a globe, which correspond to core points from the article. Text reads, “01: MT brought calm & comfort during painful procedures; 02: MT reduced anxiety, 03: MT deepened relationships between patients, families & staff. 04: MT humanized the ICU environment.” handle is bottom center.

08/21/2025

Article highlight: Center for Music & Medicine director Dr. Alex Pantelyat is quoted in this recent publication on Psychology Today on protest songs and community organizing!

Read it here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-effect/202508/this-is-your-brain-on-protest-songs

ID 1: Navy graphic with light blue dashes in the top right and bottom left corners. Text reads“Featured Article” above a photograph of an article headline from Psychology Today. The headline and byline read, “This is your brain on protest songs. Group singing fuels social movements and collective well-being.” Text on the graphic reads, “Dr. Pantelyat quoted in Psychology Today” above .

ID 2: White graphic with JH Music Medicine logo top left and shapes/lines in navy and yellow in the other 3 corners. Quotation marks appear above text reading: “When people make music together, they don’t simply synchronize body movements; they ‘align internally as well,’ says Alex Pantelyat, M.D., co-founder and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine. Blood pressures and heartbeats sync up, and brain waves coalesce around rhythms, he notes. ‘At a chamber music concert or Madison Square Garden with 50,000 people,’ it takes performers mere seconds to get crowds to clap in unison with the beat, he says. It’s instinctive.” is bottom center.

08/11/2025

Music therapy in the ICU is more than just a nice idea — it’s a clinical practice grounded in evidence, relationship, and skilled delivery of music-based interventions.

Today, we're busting the biggest myths we hear on the hospital floor about music therapy. Which of these surprised you most? What would you add? 🗣️

ID1: White graphic with JH Music Medicine logo top right and blue music notes top left. A yellow thought cloud reads “MYTH BUSTING” above a navy blue blob reading “Music Therapy and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).” is below a light blue horizontal line.

ID2: White graphic with blue text-containing blobs layered on a yellow blob. JH Music medicine logo top left and handle bottom left. Text reads, “Myth: Music therapy is a last resort when nothing else works. Fact: In the ICU, music therapy can be used proactively to reduce sedation and analgesia needs, support coping, and prepare for big transitions like extubation, discharge and/or end-of-life care.”

ID3: Same graphic but text blobs are yellow and navy over light blue blob. TExt reads, “Myth: Music therapy is just for children and older adults. Fact: Music therapy benefits ICU patients across the lifespan, from neonates to teenagers to adults, and their family members. Music therapy is adapted to age, needs, and context – not limited by it.”

ID4: Same graphic as ID 2. Text reads, “Myth: Music therapy only helps patients who are awake and alert. Fact: Patients who are sedated, receiving mechanical ventilation, and/or experiencing disorders of consciousness may still respond to music through changes in breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and subtle behavioral responses.”

ID5: Same graphic as ID3. Text reads, “Myth: Music therapy is not ‘real’ therapy. Fact: Music therapy is grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and human development. Board-certified music therapists use music to support clinical goals — like improving vital signs, supporting grief and bereavement, and facilitating emotional expression for ICU patients and families.”

08/07/2025

New research out today! Role of Music Therapy in Neurocritical Care for Patients with Acute Brain Injury with Disorders of Consciousness: A Narrative Review and Proposed Framework for Practice

Published in Neurocritical Care, a journal hosted by and , this article synthesizes what is known about music therapy (MT) for disorders of consciousness (DoC) and coma, and proposes a framework for implementation of MT in the acute phase of DoC treatment in the ICU. Our team at also provides a detailed case vignette with inclusion of a family impact statement to illustrate integration of MT into the care of a patient with severe acute brain injury in one neurocritical care unit.

Read it here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12028-025-02332-y

ID: White graphic with JH Music Medicine logo top right with light blue shape and line starting top left. Navy text reads “New Publication. Music Therapy in Neurocritical Care.” A screenshot of the article title, details, journal cover, and author list are depicted, with light blue and yellow shapes in the bottom right corner. handle is bottom left over light blue horizontal line.

Johns Hopkins Center for Music & Medicine

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