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A serious or long-term illness and the associated hospital stays present changes and challenges to the everyday lives of those affected and their families. Due to reduced social and physical activities during their hospital stay, patients usually react with emotional reactions. In recent decades, non-pharmacological approaches such as music therapy have become increasingly established in clinical contexts.

Music therapy is considered an evidence-based, effective method with growing interdisciplinary interest. Numerous studies show that music therapy care for patients by qualified music therapists enriches basic medical care and can have a positive influence on the healing process. Studies with hospitalized premature infants, children and adolescents showed that music therapy helps to reduce stress, has a stabilizing effect on the vital signs heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation as well as blood pressure and is perceived by parents as a positive, supportive offer that has a positive impact on their child's well-being during their hospital stay. Improvised musical activities with therapeutic aims have been found to promote motivation, communication skills and social interaction, as well as maintain and develop attention. Music therapy support during a hospital stay is an important preventive measure for the stability and development of patients and their families and, as a useful supplement to medical care, can support the healing process, reduce stress factors and have a positive influence on the quality of life and psychosocial situation of the affected families.