This paper describes techniques used in the provision of music therapy to two children in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit during the phase of admission when they were unconscious. The presentation of known songs and adaptations of known songs elicited a range of responses in these children. Further study of the role and effects of music with this patient group is required following positive outcomes for these children receiving music therapy while unconscious in an intensive care unit.

Music therapy is a relational therapy in which the development of rapport and relationship can be facilitated quickly through musical interactions with children and their families in a hospital setting. Once this rapport is established the therapist can then support the child and family, meeting a child's needs relating to rehabilitation, pain management, psychosocial care, or family issues. Music therapists use musical improvisation, music listening, musical composition such as song stories, or writing of songs, and any other music interactions initiated by the child to support and attain positive changes in mood, psychological state, pain report, or social interaction with others (Bradt 2013; Edwards 2005; Edwards and Kennelly 2011; Loewy 1997; Robb 2003). The music therapist works with the child and family at bedside, in a specialist treatment room, or in a group context, depending on the needs of the child and family, and the type of work required.

A modification of the Grounded Theory method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) was used to identify and categorise the techniques employed by a music therapist in work with three children who have neurological and/or spinal injury in the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Through viewing videotapes of nine individual sessions with three patients and undertaking detailed transcription and analysis of five of these sessions, eight categories of techniques used by the paediatric music therapist were identified. These are: cueing, synchrony, choices, orientation, preparation, feedback, incorporation and humour. Outcomes of this project offer clarification of techniques used by a music therapist working with children in a rehabilitation service.