Music Therapy

Music therapy is a process in which a therapist uses music and all of its facets—mental, physical, aesthetic, emotional, social and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their health status. In some cases, client's needs are addressed directly through music; in others they are addressed through the relationships that develop between the client and therapist. Music therapy is used with individuals of all ages and with a variety of conditions, including: medical health problems, mental problems, psychiatric disorders, physical handicaps, sensory impairments, developmental disabilities, communication disorders, substance abuse, interpersonal problems, and even aging. It is also used to: build self-esteem, improve learning, reduce stress, support physical exercise, and facilitate a number of other health-related activities.

Some frequently found practices of music therapy include its use for developmental work (communication, motor skills, etc.) particularly with individuals having special needs, Songwriting and listening in reminiscence/orientation work with the elderly, processing and relaxation work, and rhythmic Brainwave synchronization entrainment for physical rehabilitation in stroke victims.

More about this can be found on Wikipedia - Music Therapy Journals