Music therapy and practice in eating disorders: an overview in France

ABSTRACT The management of eating disorders is complex. While non-pharmacological interventions and non-verbal therapies are available, they are not yet implemented systematically and are sometimes used to a last resort, despite their potential to facilitate communication and emotional expression. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of current French practices in music therapy and/or music-based interventions. A questionnaire was administered to healthcare professionals working with eating disorders, disseminated through various associations, federations, and training centers related to eating disorders, music therapy and art therapy as well as across social media platforms. Responses were retained from professionals (n=58) who use “Music in Care” (n=31), as well as from those who do not employ such approaches (n=27). The principal findings underscore differences in conceptual representations between the two groups and highlight the limited theoretical and practical framework, as well as an insufficient familiarity with the English-language literature, and use of established clinical protocols within the “Music in Care” group. In the French context, where music therapy is not legally regulated and the professional title is not protected, music therapy services may be also provided by a range of healthcare professionals beyond certified music therapists. For this reason, we use the broader term “Music in Care” to describe these heterogeneous practices. These factors contribute to ongoing confusion, lack of recognition, and insufficient dissemination of the discipline. Nevertheless, despite the absence of recommendations from regulatory authorities, music therapy and music-based interventions appear to be practiced across a substantial majority of the French territory.