The purpose of this study was to examine the status of music therapy in the field of rehabilitation in Korea and to explore developmental strategies for rehabilitative music therapy using the Delphi method. To this end, 3 rounds of Delphi survey were conducted in a panel of 11 experts with at least 3 years of clinical experience with music therapy in the field of rehabilitation. The results were as follows; First, rehabilitation experts in other fields perceived music therapy as an unfamiliar therapy in the field of rehabilitation. Second, regarding the developmental strategies for rehabilitative music therapy, for showing professionalism as a form of rehabilitation therapy, the most important factor was expanding research to demonstrate the efficacy of rehabilitative music therapy. Third, regarding the individual competence of therapists, the most important factor was regular attendance in education and seminars on rehabilitation.
Fourth, for music therapy societies and associations, the most important factors were improving the publicity of rehabilitative music therapy and expanding rehabilitation-related courses in music therapy curricula. Fifth, for the clinical environment, the most important factor was constructing a unique therapeutic domain for rehabilitative music therapy. Finally, for administrative systems, the most important factor was converting to the national qualification system for music therapy.
This study is expected to lay the foundations for promoting the use of music therapy in the field of rehabilitation and to help improve the status of rehabilitative music therapy.