Research shows that music therapy can help improve cognitive, speech, attention, communication, emotional, social, and physical abilities in individuals.  It can be beneficial for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Common methods used in music therapy include music listening, singing, playing instruments, improvisation, composition, and body movement.  When assisting children and adolescents, appropriate elements of play therapy and psychotherapy can be incorporated to help with conditions such as autistic spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities, emotional distress, social problems, speech disorders, and school refusal.  For adults and the elderly, incorporating elements of psychotherapy in music therapy can help improve disorders like depression and anxiety, trauma and stress-related issues, psychotic problems, grief and loss, cognitive impairments, post-stroke struggles, mobility challenges, loneliness, and family relationship issues.  Music therapy can be conducted on an individual, family, or group basis, and participants do not need to have any musical knowledge or skills to benefit from it.