music therapy [Gk, mousike, music, therapeia, treatment] , a form of adjunctive psychotherapy in which music is used as a means of recreation and communication, especially with autistic children, and as a means to elevate the mood of depressed and psychotic patients. It is used to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems and used for a wide variety of indications, including mental disorders, developmental and learning disabilities, neurological disabilities, and the management of pain or stress.
