Theoretically grounded music therapy interventions for people with obsessive compulsive disorder

Over two percent of adults experience obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in their lifetime, and research on novel, effective treatments for this condition is needed. OCD is characterized by obsessions and compulsions spanning several domains including but not limited to cleanliness, evenness, and unacceptable or disturbing thoughts. Although there is a deficit of research on music therapy for people with OCD, preliminary research has indicated that music-based interventions and music therapy can help decrease anxiety, rigidity, obsessions, and compulsions in people with OCD. The purpose of this paper was to explore and develop music therapy interventions for people with OCD grounded in theories and concepts related to this diagnosis. The authors conducted a narrative literature review of interdisciplinary research on music therapy and OCD. In this manuscript, the authors reviewed three theories and concepts related to OCD and their applications to music therapy: evaluative conditioning, incompleteness and not just right experiences, and transdiagnostic theory. The authors used these theories to develop music therapy interventions to address areas of life that can be impacted by OCD identified in the Cognitive Assessment Instrument of Obsessions and Compulsions. Empirical research is needed to determine the efficacy, practicality, and generalizability of proposed music therapy interventions.