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How Spiritune is Using Music to Support Mental Health

Bringing Science-Backed Music Interventions to Everyday Wellness

Music has the power to shift our emotions, sharpen our focus, and even reduce stress. But what if music could be used in a more intentional, science-backed way to support mental health? That’s exactly what Spiritune, an innovative music technology company founded by Jamie Pabst, is doing.

Jamie, a board member of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), launched Spiritune with a clear mission: to modernize mental health using a scientific, music-based approach. With a background in finance and a personal connection to the therapeutic potential of music—her sister studied music therapy—Jamie saw an opportunity to bring evidence-based music interventions to a wider audience.

The Science Behind Spiritune

Spiritune isn’t just another music streaming service. It was designed with input from neuroscientists, music therapists, and composers to create playlists that are optimized for emotional regulation and cognitive focus. The app uses research-backed techniques from music therapy to curate music that helps listeners lower stress levels, improve mood, and increase productivity.

A recent peer-reviewed study led by Stanford and New York University researchers tested Spiritune’s impact. Their findings? Listening to Spiritune for just 10 minutes improved mood in 76% of participants. Not only that, but the study also showed that Spiritune was four times more effective than other music sources at reducing negative emotional states and was the only option tested that improved cognitive processing speed.

Expanding Access to Music-Based Mental Health Support

With a growing demand for mental health solutions, Spiritune is being embraced by companies looking to provide their employees with low-cost, engaging wellness tools. Organizations like Galileo Health, DexCare, and Crunch Fitness are already incorporating Spiritune into their mental health offerings, and the app is also being used in a VA-funded suicide prevention pilot for veterans.

While Spiritune is not a replacement for certified music therapy, it represents a powerful step forward in making music-based interventions more accessible. By harnessing the therapeutic power of music, Spiritune is helping people manage stress, regulate emotions, and build healthier daily habits.

IMNF and Spiritune: Advancing the Role of Music in Healthcare

At IMNF, we believe in the profound connection between music and brain health—something that our Executive Director, Dr. Concetta Tomaino, has spent decades researching and advocating for. As Spiritune’s lead music therapy advisor, Dr. Tomaino brings her deep expertise to the platform, ensuring that its approach is rooted in the principles of music therapy.

We’re thrilled to see Spiritune gaining recognition for its innovative work, including its recent feature in Fierce Healthcare. As we continue to explore new ways to integrate music into healthcare, aging, and wellness, partnerships like these help expand the reach and impact of music-based interventions.

To learn more about Spiritune and its groundbreaking approach to music for mental well-being, visit Spiritune’s website.

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IMNFs New Online Course Approved for Continuing Education Credits by CBMT, NAB, NCTRC, and NYSED

April 9, 2025

IMNFs new online course, Best Practices from Music Therapy for Using Music in Senior Wellness and Healthcare is approved for Continuing Education Credits by CBMT, NAB, NCTRC, and NYSED. Developed by Dr. Concetta Tomaino and the IMNF team, this on-demand course equips practitioners, caregivers, and leaders with the knowledge and tools to implement therapeutic music practices in senior care. Now with CEU approval across disciplines, the course is accessible and meaningful for a broader audience of professionals seeking to expand their impact. “ We developed this training to enhance knowledge of best practices in the use of music in senior care for many people already working in this area ," says Dr. Tomaino, " i.e., musicians, therapeutic recreation specialists, volunteers, and caregivers. The advanced credential for master's-level music therapists is to elevate the role of MTs to an advisory and consulting role in senior care. Only a small percentage of MT-BCs work in senior healthcare, yet there are 1.3 million seniors living in nursing homes in the U.S. We not only want to be sure these individuals benefit from intentional use of music programs, but that music therapists who want to work in this area are elevated and recognized for their expertise.” About the Course Based on the book Music Has Power® in Senior Wellness and Healthcare , this nine-module training bridges the gap between music therapy and everyday care. It draws on over 40 years of clinical and research experience and is designed for: Long-Term Care Professionals and Administrators Recreational Therapists and Activity Professionals Music Therapists and Master’s-Level Clinicians Musicians and Artists in Healthcare Family Caregivers Participants who successfully complete the online course earn certification as a Senior Care Music Specialist , along with a one-year IMNF membership and listing in our referral network, along with a complimentary copy of Dr. Tomaino’s book. Master’s-level MT-BCs interested in earning the Advanced Senior Care Music Therapist (ASCMT) credential can complete the course online and then participate in a specialized in-person training at IMNF’s headquarters in Mount Vernon, NY. Learn More Download Course Flyer