Abstract
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play a key role in child development and subsequent adult health. This study aims to create an overview of the music therapy research published on children and youth with ACEs, specifically on available interventions, their effectiveness, associated therapy goals and other music therapy characteristics. A scoping review was conducted on peer-reviewed articles published in medical, psychological and music therapy databases between January 2000 and April 2022. We included articles that discussed the use of music therapy in combination with any ACE and focused on participants aged 24?years or younger. A total of 1,250 articles were identified, of which 35 matched the inclusion criteria. A total of 173 music therapy interventions were found, addressing 20 different ACEs and 83 treatment goals. Only four studies reported significant effects, each on different outcome measures. There is a broad variety in reported music therapy interventions, goals and methods. A clear overview of the interventions used in treating the consequences for specific ACEs was difficult to create as divergent descriptions were used for what essentially might be similar interventions and goals. Music therapists seem to adjust their approach to specific needs of the client, but the ambiguity of reports currently hampers firm conclusions. To reach this goal, it is recommended that music therapists report their interventions, goals and methods in a more standardized way and suggestions to do so are provided.
