In a three-year study, children's charity Coram looked at the impact of its music therapy service, based in the Parents' Centre at Coram. It involves early years professionals, psychologists, psychotherapists, family support workers, play workers, teachers and social workers.
Children listen to music and take part in related activities.
The study involved 12 children aged from 20 months to nine years, with ten under five years, taking part in ten to 20 music therapy sessions.
Currently there are no standardised measures to test the effectiveness of music therapy, so music therapist and research author Tiffany Drake devised a five-point scale to describe children's behaviour with the target to achieve more balanced behaviour.
'For children with a range of difficulties or those who have experienced the trauma of abuse or family breakdown, music can provide a creative means of expressing what words cannot,' said Ms Drake.
Analysis of video footage showed children's concentration increased in 92 per cent of cases, while 75 per cent of parents said their child's relationships with others improved.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
'Music Therapy at Coram: Research into practice' is at www.coram.org.uk.