The use of music as an arts-based method in migrant health research: a scoping review

Context: Migration is a global phenomenon and evidence is needed to inform the organisation and delivery of effective, responsive primary care services. Involving migrants as partners in academic primary care research, just like other community groups, is important but rare. Participatory learning and action (PLA) research plays an important role in European and US primary care settings for creating meaningful dialogue and co-learning but it is primarily language based. There is growing evidence that musical practices such as singing, are particularly effective in facilitating multi-modal communication beyond the semantic limits of language, as well as fostering whole person engagement.

Objective: To investigate the available evidence for the use of music as an arts-based research (ABR) method in migrant health research to advance knowledge about tools and techniques for involving migrants in academic primary care research.

Study Design: A scoping review following the JBI Reviewer’s Manual (Peters et al., 2017) and Levac et al, (2010) with screening by two independent reviewers and arbitration by a third.

Setting or Dataset: Searches in Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Social Science Premium Collection, PsychINFO, Springer LINK, Taylor & Francis Online, Google Advanced Search, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses A& I.

Population studied: Inclusion criteria: human migrant, paper written in English, 2009-2020, music discussed as a participatory ABR method in migrant health research, peer reviewed or grey literature, any location.

Intervention/Instrument (for interventional studies): n/a

Outcome Measures: n/a

Results/Findings: 14 eligible studies from six countries, predominately with migrants living in socially marginalized circumstances. The most common use of music in the research cycle was as a tool to support project recruitment and participation. Notwithstanding some challenges and ethical issues with ABR, the documented strengths are characteristic of music in terms of social bonding, positive personal and community outcomes.

Conclusions: The positive contribution of music as an arts-based method in migrant health research, practice and policy is broadly supported by this analysis. This suggests that migrant health researchers should consider the participatory potential of music as an ABR method in academic primary care and that there is scope to extend its use in the research cycle.