Project Lead: Lucia Gassner
Authors: Lucia Gassner (Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment GmbH, Austria), Thomas Solgård Svendsen, Bianka Karshikoff and Aleksander Hagen Erga (Centre for alcohol and drug research (KORFOR), Stavanger University Hospital, Norway), Franziska Magel (Anton Proksch Institute, Austria)
Publication: March 2026
Language: English (with German summary)
Substance use disorders are among the world's greatest public health challenges. The EU project FALCO examined which outcome instruments are suitable for the long-term evaluation of music therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders. Instruments measuring stable constructs – such as depression, problem severity, and self-efficacy – were identified as most appropriate. Service user interviews revealed social parameters as the most frequently mentioned aspect of recovery, with children, pets, and employment as key facilitators. Validated instruments exist, but gaps remain. Future research should prioritise long-term studies, core outcome sets, and culturally adapted instruments incorporating social and socioeconomic dimensions.