Exploring the complex intervention framework: A research pathway for increasing scientific understanding of music therapy interventions

Abstract

Music therapy is often defined at the intersection of science, art, and humanity. Moreover, music therapy intervention research involves dynamic and complex interactions between music, client, and therapist in the transdisciplinary field, which makes it challenging to scientifically investigate. To help increase scientific understanding of music therapy interventions, the complex intervention framework (CIF) is explored. The CIF is a research framework suggested by the British Medical Research Counsel and offers distinct research phases that may be useful in developing intervention-based research in music therapy. In this paper, music therapy specific conceptual models that may be used in the intervention development phase of the CIF are explored. Additionally, examples of music therapy intervention studies that align with each phase of the CIF are provided. The implementation of carefully designed and thoughtfully crafted interventions in a developmental and systematic manner using a clear research pathway such as the CIF may help contribute to the development of more rigorous research in the field. It may also facilitate better understanding of the complex interactions between music, therapist, and client, and ultimately creation and implementation of impactful interventions that lead to optimal clinical outcomes.