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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0PLOS One

A study protocol for international consensus guidelines on music therapy for paediatric posterior fossa syndrome

  • James Burns1
  • Jonathan Pool2
  • Karen Twyford3
  • Annette Baron4
  • Melanie Thomas5
  • Anna Menén Sánchez6
  • Eleanor Fallon7
  • Janeen Bower8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  2. 2Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
  3. 3National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
  4. 4Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
  5. 5Perth Children’s Hospital, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  6. 6Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, Brighton, Victoria, Australia
  7. 7Alder Hey Children’s NHS Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  8. 8Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació adscrit a la UAB, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
Open at sourcePDFDOICite

Abstract

Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a common complication following surgical resection of paediatric posterior fossa tumours, characterised by mutism, ataxia, emotional disturbance, and cognitive impairment. Despite significant rehabilitation needs, there is limited evidence regarding effective therapeutic approaches, including the role of music therapy. Music therapy is uniquely positioned to address the multidimensional needs of children with PFS, yet the low incidence and clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome preclude traditional empirical research designs. International consensus guidelines are therefore needed to consolidate clinical knowledge and support consistent, high-quality practice. This protocol describes a two-phase study to develop international consensus guidelines for music therapy practice with children with PFS. Phase 1 involves a pre-Delphi consultation with three regional Advisory Panels (North America, Europe, Australia), each comprising family representatives, music therapists, allied health professionals, and medical practitioners. These panels will identify clinical priorities, family concerns, and interdisciplinary outcomes to inform the development of the survey instrument. Phase 2 uses an international Delphi process with a minimum of 30 experienced paediatric music therapists, proceeding through three to five iterative rounds of item generation, rating, and refinement. Consensus is defined a priori as ≥80% agreement. Quantitative analysis will be conducted in R; qualitative data will be analysed thematically. The study will be conducted and reported in line with DELPHISTAR recommendations. The resulting consensus guidelines will support developmentally responsive, family-centred music therapy assessment and intervention for children with PFS, while identifying priority areas for future research in paediatric neuro-oncology and neurorehabilitation.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{burns2026study,
  title = {{A study protocol for international consensus guidelines on music therapy for paediatric posterior fossa syndrome}},
  author = {James Burns and Jonathan Pool and Karen Twyford and Annette Baron and Melanie Thomas and Anna Menén Sánchez and Eleanor Fallon and Janeen Bower},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358571},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358571},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - A study protocol for international consensus guidelines on music therapy for paediatric posterior fossa syndrome
AU  - James Burns
AU  - Jonathan Pool
AU  - Karen Twyford
AU  - Annette Baron
AU  - Melanie Thomas
AU  - Anna Menén Sánchez
AU  - Eleanor Fallon
AU  - Janeen Bower
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/25
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358571
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358571
AB  - Posterior fossa syndrome (PFS) is a common complication following surgical resection of paediatric posterior fossa tumours, characterised by mutism, ataxia, emotional disturbance, and cognitive impairment. Despite significant rehabilitation needs, there is limited evidence regarding effective therapeutic approaches, including the role of music therapy. Music therapy is uniquely positioned to address the multidimensional needs of children with PFS, yet the low incidence and clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome preclude traditional empirical research designs. International consensus guidelines are therefore needed to consolidate clinical knowledge and support consistent, high-quality practice. This protocol describes a two-phase study to develop international consensus guidelines for music therapy practice with children with PFS. Phase 1 involves a pre-Delphi consultation with three regional Advisory Panels (North America, Europe, Australia), each comprising family representatives, music therapists, allied health professionals, and medical practitioners. These panels will identify clinical priorities, family concerns, and interdisciplinary outcomes to inform the development of the survey instrument. Phase 2 uses an international Delphi process with a minimum of 30 experienced paediatric music therapists, proceeding through three to five iterative rounds of item generation, rating, and refinement. Consensus is defined a priori as ≥80% agreement. Quantitative analysis will be conducted in R; qualitative data will be analysed thematically. The study will be conducted and reported in line with DELPHISTAR recommendations. The resulting consensus guidelines will support developmentally responsive, family-centred music therapy assessment and intervention for children with PFS, while identifying priority areas for future research in paediatric neuro-oncology and neurorehabilitation.
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -