possible, but it will require a persistent effort of philosophers and scientists aimed at the revision of
established research paradigms.
8.2. Limitations and suggestions for future research
It is an obvious limitation of the present study that it has not been possible to include a detailed
report of the Neurosciences and Music Conference 2011 in Edinburgh. This inclusion is a relevant
objective of forthcoming research.
It is another shortcoming that the concise version of The Musical Timespace does not repre-
sent a full-fledged revision of the original text. The concise version can be considered the first stage
in a new process of research, which aims at integrating the methods of phenomenology and the find-
ings of neuroscience in a new edition of the book.
Suggestions for future research include:
- The testing of experimental phenomenology as a tool for describing clinical music therapy improvi-
sations and music employed in receptive music therapy. - A comparison of investigations in phenomenology with Antonio Damasio’s framework of hypotheses
concerning consciousness and the self. - Further neuroimaging studies based on complete pieces of music, and the inclusion of a variety of
musical genres in neuroscientific research. - The design of additional GIM programs based on contemporary art music, and an investigation of
the prominent musical features in GIM programs that are not entirely based on classical music. - Measurements of physiological variables in experimental GIM sessions, including skin conductance
response, heart rate and breathing rate, combined with additional investigations of strong responses
to music that evoke tears. - Review of research on mirror neurons, and estimation of the relevance of mirror neuron theories for
music therapy.