The document outlines post-doctoral research in music therapy led by Julian O'Kelly, focusing on challenges and opportunities in the field, including small professional networks and competition for funding. A proposed trial aims to provide music therapy to refugees with mental disorders, emphasizing research design, feasibility, and consultative support for effective implementation. Key lessons learned highlight the importance of collaboration, methodological rigor, and aligning with funding opportunities in wider fields.

1. Post Doc Research in Music Therapy
Lessons from the Launchpad
Julian O’Kelly PhD
Julian.okelly@elft.nhs.uk

2. A quick resume
• HPCP Music Therapist: Palliative Care & Neuro-rehab
• Manager
• MSc Palliative Care (Kings) / PhD Mobility Fellowship
(Aalborg)
• P.I. for 4 studies
• Conference organiser (SRR, Royal Hospital Neuro-
disability, Princess Alice Hospice)

4. Post Doc Research in Arts Therapies
Challenges:
• Small professional & evidence base
• Prevailing research methods at odds with RCT methods
• Widely dispersed in different sectors = poor fit with larger funders
• Competition: Arts in Health, Participatory Arts, Music Medicine
Developing Opportunities:
• Novel, patient centred & valued, inclusive
• Emerging cross disciplinary collaborations
• Cochrane collaborations, International multi-site (TIME A), NIHR support

5. Unit for Social & Community Psychiatry
• Developing Music Therapy In-patient and community mental Health ‘FiGMT’ &
‘SYNCHRONY’: 5 staff (PI:Dr Catherine Carr- NIHR Clinical Lectureship & RfPB)
• WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Service Development, Dir. Prof
Stefan Priebe
• Overall 30 researchers inc. Arts Therapists

6. NIHR Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF)
• demonstrate potential as researchers but do not, as yet, have
sufficient experience to be fully independent.
• success in the form of outputs from doctoral and post-
doctoral research (≤ 3yrs)
• Similar to Clinical Lectureship, but can be 100% research , &
more competitive

7. Music Therapy for Refugees with Long Term Depression and
Anxiety Disorders: Development and Feasibility Trial

8. Idea

9. Idea
To provide music therapy for refugees with mental
disorders to reduce symptom levels and foster long-
term integration
BUT…….
- How to deliver it in practice?
- Outcomes: PTSD? Anxiety? Depression? Social
integration?
- Feasible with very different and heterogeneous
groups?
- Is it effective?

10. Consultation
• Consensus: music therapy ‘makes sense’, happy to support research
• Research should be: easy to understand, minimal paperwork &
include reimbursment
• Lived Experience Advisory Panel

11. Research Design
• Informed by MRC (2011) Guidelines for piloting and
feasibility testing complex interventions
• WP1:Narrative Synthesis of 43 papers identified in
preliminary search
• WP2: Qualitative study of 3 leading organisations involved in
Music Based work supporting Refugees
• WP3:Wait-list control feasibility study using intervention
manual (WP1&2)

12. Review 1 : Important area, novel concept/approach -
though quite an intensive intervention for a small number of
participants. PPI seems relevant but more management
than people/pts. Training element needs clarification
• Overall grade B (Meets all the assessment criteria with
minor weaknesses, interview)
Review 2: Range of questions on methods, statistical
testing, gereralisability etc
• Overall grade C (Reasonable quality applicant however
does not adequately meet the criteria, reject)

14. Lessons
• Importance of consultation, collaboration & peer support
• Be informed by strengths / weaknesses of your discipline
• Attention to detail in methodological and statistical
components
• Research wider funder field – MQ, Welcome, ESRC, Stroke,
Parkinson's, MND, MS Charities……………

15. Post Doc Research in Music Therapy
Lessons from the Launchpad
Julian O’Kelly PhD
Julian.okelly@elft.nhs.uk