Search Results (136)

Refugees experience disproportionately high rates of sleep disturbances due to trauma, displacement, and resettlement stressors. Sleep health is critically linked to both physical and mental well-being, yet remains an underexplored area of intervention for refugee populations. This systematic review aimed to (1) identify interventions implemented to improve sleep health among refugees, (2) assess their effectiveness, and (3) evaluate the extent of cultural adaptation in their design and implementation. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature from 2004 to 2024 identified nine studies focused on adult refugees in high-income countries. Interventions included psychoeducation, music-assisted relaxation, guided imagery, and nightmare-focused therapies. Several demonstrated improvements in sleep quality, insomnia severity, and nightmare frequency. Music-based interventions and sleep health education stood out as accessible, non-stigmatizing strategies that may be particularly well suited to refugee contexts. However, cultural adaptation emerged as the most significant gap. Using the 4-Domain Cultural Adaptation Model (CAM4)—which assesses adaptation across context, content, delivery, and engagement—most studies showed only surface-level modifications. Few incorporated community voices, and none validated sleep assessment tools for cultural relevance. Future research should prioritize co-creation with refugee communities to ensure interventions are not only evidence-based, but also culturally grounded, trusted, and sustainable across diverse refugee populations. Full article

Cognitive impairment is a prevalent and disabling feature of multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly impacting patients’ quality of life (QoL) and psychological well-being. Despite its clinical relevance, there are currently no approved pharmacological treatments for cognitive deficits in MS, highlighting the need for effective non-pharmacological interventions. This narrative review explores evidence from studies evaluating the efficacy of cognitive re-education (CR) approaches (including traditional, group-based, computer-assisted, virtual reality, and innovative methods such as music therapy) on cognitive and QoL outcomes in people with MS. The findings demonstrate that while CR consistently influences cognitive domains such as memory, attention, and executive function, its effects on QoL are more variable and often depend on intervention type, duration, and individual patient characteristics. Notably, integrative approaches like virtual reality and music therapy show promising results in enhancing both cognitive performance and psychosocial well-being. Several studies report that cognitive gains are accompanied by improvements in mental health and functional QoL, particularly when interventions are tailored to individual needs and delivered within multidisciplinary frameworks. However, some interventions yield only limited or transient QoL benefits, underlining the importance of personalized, goal-oriented strategies that address both cognitive and psychosocial dimensions. Further research is needed to optimize intervention strategies and clarify the mechanisms linking cognitive and QoL outcomes. Full article

Background: Music therapy and music-based interventions are increasingly recognized as valuable adjuncts in pediatric neurorehabilitation, leveraging rhythm, singing, instrument playing, and improvisation to support children with neurological disabilities. Objective/Method: This narrative review synthesizes evidence from studies published between 2000 and 2025, focusing on children aged 3 to 18 years receiving neurorehabilitation. Results: The literature demonstrates that music therapy and music-based interventions can improve motor function—particularly gait and upper limb coordination—as well as speech production, while also reducing anxiety and enhancing participation. Techniques such as rhythmic auditory stimulation and melodic intonation therapy have shown promise in targeting movement and communication deficits. Music therapy is further associated with positive effects on vital signs and emotional well-being, supporting its role in holistic care. Neurobiological findings suggest that music-based interventions may promote neuroplasticity and strengthen brain connectivity, though high-quality mechanistic studies remain limited. Conclusions: Despite methodological heterogeneity and small sample sizes in the current literature, the overall evidence supports music therapy and music-based interventions as accessible, cost-effective, and child-centered complements to standard neurorehabilitation. Future research should prioritize rigorous clinical trials and neurobiological investigations to clarify mechanisms and optimize therapeutic protocols. Full article

In the face of the limitations in pharmacological and surgical interventions for neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, patients are increasingly turning to non-pharmacological and alternative therapies to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. This shift underscores the urgent need for accessible, effective, and affordable treatments. This literature review examines a range of alternative and personalized therapies, including game therapy, animal-assisted therapy, dance therapy, art therapy, music therapy, aroma therapy, and shinrin-yoku therapy. These modalities have demonstrated promising results in mitigating symptoms and enhancing well-being among individuals grappling with neurological disorders. Moreover, these therapies offer a holistic approach that complements traditional medical interventions, underscoring the importance of integrating diverse treatment modalities. Despite their historical roots in non-clinical settings, their potential in modern clinical practice remains untapped. The findings suggest the necessity for further research, particularly large cohort studies, to validate the efficacy of these personalized therapies and advocate for their widespread adoption. In an era marked by escalating healthcare costs, the exploration of alternative therapies presents a compelling avenue for enhancing patient care while simultaneously addressing economic challenges within the healthcare system. Full article

Sustainability has gained significant importance in today’s educational context due to growing environmental concerns. This highlights the need to address this concept in teacher education so that future educators are equipped to help students develop competencies in this area. This study explores the use of soundscapes in environmental education, focusing on exploratory listening in relation to natural and urban sounds within the context of sustainability. The study examined the ability of 151 pre-service teachers (62 in music education and 89 in general education) to identify, characterize, and respond emotionally to these sounds. The methodology included an ad hoc task based on Schafer’s principles to identify sound elements, the PANAS questionnaire to assess emotional states before the listening activity, and a questionnaire to evaluate the emotions experienced during the task. The results indicate limited competence in characterizing sound elements, with music education students performing better than their general education peers. Furthermore, natural environments were associated with positive emotions, while urban environments elicited negative feelings, with no significant differences between the two groups. These findings underscore the importance of integrating soundscape awareness into university curricula to promote greater environmental consciousness and emotional well-being. Full article

Hundreds of millions of migrants experience frequent homesickness that affects their psychological wellbeing. This study integrates the job-demands–resources model and temporal comparison theory to examine how music listening and similar activities involving coworker homophily and roommate homophily influence the relationship between homesickness and burnout. Our analysis of survey data from 2493 migrant workers reveals that off-work music listening strengthens the positive relationship between homesickness and burnout. Furthermore, coworker homophily and roommate homophily enhance the strength of the interaction between off-work music listening and homesickness as a predictor of burnout. Our findings demonstrate how seemingly supportive job resources can transform into psychological demands and thus have important theoretical and managerial implications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Psychosocial interventions bring mental and social benefits to paediatric and young adult patients. Gaining insight into the optimal psychosocial intervention strategies and their process mechanisms can contribute to the deepening of practice in this field. Methods: This systematic review evaluates the psychosocial interventions that promote adaptability, resilience, and positive changes among paediatric and young adult patients. Following the Cochrane guidelines, the literature from 2000 to 2024 was reviewed, focusing on randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Results: Eighteen studies were included and analysed using a logic model framework. Therapeutic interventions that involved the reframing of cognition activities shaped personality changes, including resilience and adaptation, requiring significant investment, and they were influenced by individual characteristics and background. Process-oriented activities, such as art-, play-, and music-based therapies, improved emotional well-being and were affected by pain, cognitive abilities, and language skills. Behavioural changes are best achieved through interactive interventions, particularly group-based and parent-involved approaches, which improve social integration and physical abilities. Conclusions: Psychosocial interventions lead to positive changes in paediatric and young adult patients in terms of personality, emotion, and behaviour. Although the sample size for the behavioural changes is insufficient, understanding the mechanisms underlying these interventions benefits practice. Full article

The institutionalisation of older adults is often associated with negative perceptions from the past, influenced by asylums and hospices that were seen as marginalising older people. These views have contributed to a dominant social representation of residential care as undesirable, being associated with the ideas of social death, isolation and confinement. However, changes in family structures and longer life expectancies have increased the need for residential care. It is thus essential to rethink these institutions as integral parts of the community rather than isolating and marginalising them. Bridging the generation gap and integrating care institutions can help to combat negative perceptions, such as ageism, and promote a more inclusive view of elderly care. One way of involving older adults and recognising their rights and contributions is through community initiatives such as choirs. Community choirs can enhance social cohesion and music learning, offering older adults personal fulfilment, community involvement and resilience. These initiatives underscore respect for autonomy and emphasise their continuing value to society. This study explores the potential impact of community music on relieving feelings of loneliness among older adults in formal care settings. The project engaged 216 participants in singing classes held twice a week over six months. Utilising ethnographic observations and collective interviews with the participants, institutional staff, and family members, in this paper, the changes in participants’ self-perception of loneliness and perspectives from family members and staff are analysed. The findings indicate positive effects on the participants, especially in the psychological, educational and social dimensions, including increased autonomy, active participation, learning and social integration. The project engendered trust, empathy, mutual support and a sense of belonging and community, suggesting that community music contributes to mitigating loneliness and enhancing overall well-being. Full article

Aggressive behaviour in pigs poses significant challenges to animal welfare, production efficiency, and economic performance in the pork industry. This review explores the multifaceted causes of pig aggression, focusing on genetic, environmental, and physiological factors. Aggression in pigs is categorized into social, maternal, fear-induced, play, and redirected aggression, with early-life hierarchies and environmental stressors playing critical roles. Physiological markers, such as elevated cortisol and reduced serotonin levels, are closely linked to aggressive behaviour, while dietary interventions, including tryptophan supplementation, have shown promise in mitigating aggression. Environmental factors, such as overcrowding, noise, and heat stress, exacerbate aggressive tendencies, whereas enrichment strategies, like music and improved housing conditions, can reduce stress and aggression. Genome-wide analyses have pinpointed specific polymorphisms in neurotransmitter genes (DRD2, SLC6A4, MAOA) and stress-response loci (RYR1) as significant predictors of porcine aggression. Advances in genomic technologies, including genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and transcriptomic analyses, have further elucidated the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of aggressive behaviour. Practical application in breeding programmes remains challenging due to aggression polygenic nature and industry hesitancy toward genomic approaches. Future research should focus on integrating genetic markers into breeding programmes, developing multitrait selection indices, and exploring epigenetic modifications to improve animal welfare and production efficiency. By addressing these challenges, the pork industry can enhance both the well-being of pigs and the sustainability of production systems. Full article

Recent technological advances have introduced novel therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study introduces a novel virtual reality (VR) intervention consisting of aesthetically pleasing and relaxing immersive videos paired with evocative music for patients with or without cognitive decline. The goal of this intervention is to improve the mood, evoke autobiographical memories in, and enhance the overall well-being of elderly individuals, across stages of cognitive decline (from absent to severe). Twenty-one elderly participants (5 cognitively healthy, 13 with a mild cognitive decline, 2 with a moderate decline, and 1 with a severe decline) were exposed to immersive 360-degree videos depicting both familiar and unfamiliar, pleasant and calming environments, accompanied by emotionally evocative, pleasant, and soothing music. The results demonstrated high levels of immersion and predominantly positive emotional responses, with several participants reporting autobiographical memory recall triggered by the VR stimulation. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in mood over time, regardless of cognitive status, supporting the effectiveness of the intervention. While there were some side effects of fatigue or transient anxiety, the experience was generally perceived as engaging and meaningful. This feasibility study adds to the acceptability and potential clinical utility of VR interventions and provides a justification for future larger trials aimed at the integration of immersive technologies into cognitive rehabilitation interventions for individuals at different stages of cognitive decline. Full article

Neurological disorders represent a significant challenge for healthcare systems, necessitating innovative and multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches. These disorders often lead to difficulties in various aspects of daily life, including physical functioning, mental health, and quality of life (QoL). Telecoaching (TC) and Music Therapy (MT) are two emerging modalities that may provide valuable support for individuals with these conditions. This narrative review aims to analyse recent studies investigating the efficacy of TC and MT in this population. A total of 23 studies were included in this narrative review. These studies indicate that TC positively affects physical functioning and adherence to intervention programs, with participants reporting improvements in gait and balance, as well as a reduction in postural instability and fall rates. Similarly, MT has shown promising outcomes in decreasing anxiety and sleep disorders while enhancing cognitive and emotional well-being. Integrating TC and MT into treatment approaches offers a promising alternative for improving QoL and overall well-being. However, further research is needed to consolidate the evidence and optimize the implementation of these interventions in clinical practice. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and comparative evaluations to further clarify the role of TC and MT in the treatment of neurological disorders, as well as their long-term effects. Full article

Attention Bias Modification (ABM) is a cost-effective mood intervention that has the potential to be used in daily settings beyond clinical environments. However, its interactivity and user engagement are known to be limited and underexplored. Here, we propose Uplifting Moods, a novel mood intervention app that combines gamified ABM and augmented reality (AR) to address the limitation associated with the repetitive nature of ABM. By harnessing the benefits of mobile AR’s low-cost, portable, and accessible characteristics, this approach is to help users easily take part in ABM, positively shifting one’s emotions. We conducted a mixed methods study with 24 participants, which involves a controlled experiment with Self-Assessment Manikin as its primary measure and a semi-structured interview. Our analysis reports that the approach uniquely adds fun, exploring, and challenging features, helping improve engagement and feeling more cheerful and less under control. It also highlights the importance of personalization and consideration of gaming style, music preference, and socialization in designing a daily AR ABM game as an effective mental wellbeing intervention. Full article

South Africans enjoy increasing access to digital connectivity. But little is known about the roles that mobile phones play in the everyday lives of young South Africans who live in marginalized spaces. Responding to this gap in the literature, we conducted research with a naturally occurring group of sixteen young adults, between the ages of 18 and 34, living in an under-resourced Eastern Cape township. Using the mobile diary method, we asked these young people how they use their mobiles as part of everyday sociality and to support their well-being. The article (1) reflects on the efficacy of the mobile diary method as a means of understanding our respondents’ lives and worlds; and (2) presents four themes emerging from the data generated by this method: “waithood”, “music”, “fakes”, and “wellbeing”. We conclude that the mobile diary method generates rewardingly rich data that reveal the complexity of township digitality and sociality. This texture avoids simplistic binaries and does justice to the experiences of young people in marginalized contexts. Full article

Few studies have examined how committing criminal acts of violence impacts the lives of perpetrators who were mentally ill at the time of offence and in which the act itself reflects behaviour that is uncharacteristic of the individual. Theoretical accounts and clinical reports describe a phenomenon termed moral injury, which profiles the deleterious emotional effects that can arise from actions that transgress moral beliefs and expectations. Shame, guilt, spiritual/existential conflict, and loss of trust are considered to be core symptoms of moral injury with growing empirical studies which examine moral injury in military and public safety worker samples. The extent to which these kinds of moral injury phenomena might be evident among mentally ill perpetrators was explored using a qualitative-methods approach in a sample of 19 adult participants hospitalized in a Canadian forensic programme inpatient service. The sample consisted of 13 male and 6 female patients, with a mean age of 36.2 years (SD = 10.8), and the majority diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. A qualitative interview was conducted where participants were asked to describe feelings about the index offence, the effect it has had on their well-being, and how they have coped with having committed the offence. Using a reflexive thematic analysis process, 5 themes and 23 subthemes were generated that relate to the various resultant impacts. The five themes which emerged were (1) Living with the Emotional Aftermath; (2) Trying to Make Sense and Coming to Terms; (3) My Eyes Have Opened; (4) Facing the Music; and (5) Moving On. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding forensic inpatients who may be attempting to come to terms with violence they committed while mentally ill and for informing moral injury intervention strategies which might be adapted for forensic mental health services and public health recidivism prevention programmes. Full article

Engaging with music has been shown to have a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in care homes, who are known to be affected by anxiety, depression and loneliness. Based on the known benefits of in-person singing activities, a new Virtual Reality (VR) choir application was developed to facilitate group singing, aiming to improve residents’ wellbeing and sense of community. Co-designed with Alzheimer Scotland, the intervention was tested in two care homes for functionality and to develop an approach towards assessing feasibility. Residents participated in scheduled sessions over a five-week period, in addition to staff engaging in independent ad hoc use of the experience with residents. Data on reactions to the intervention, the quality of life of participants and preferences about the outcome instruments were collected. The VR intervention proved technically successful, user-friendly, and allowed multiple users to sing together. Participants and staff showed strong enthusiasm for the intervention, with residents actively engaging in singing and movement, although some residents found the headsets uncomfortable. This suggests that VR choirs could be a valuable, scalable activity in care homes, especially when in-person facilitators are unavailable. Preliminary observations indicated that the intervention was not detrimental to participants’ health; however, the sample size was very small and a larger feasibility study is required to examine the intervention’s effectiveness, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This research highlights the challenges associated with measuring the feasibility of VR interventions in residential care settings, and the value of capturing qualitative data in an ecological setting that represents the intended use of the intervention. Full article