Musical autobiographies consist a powerful therapeutic tool through which individuals define themselves, helping in the (re)construction of their identities and in enhancing quality of life of Multiple Sclerosis patients. Eight adult patients under treatment in the Research Centre for Multiple Sclerosis (CIEM) - UFMG, selected 10 to 15 significant pieces of music in their lives, after which they narrated in open interview. The data collected were submitted to the music therapist Even RUDD (1998) categories, which reveal how the person expresses his personal, social, temporal and transpersonal identities. The quantitative treatment indicate that, through their musical history, patients could better the perception of their feelings and body awareness, they could express themselves through alternative ways and activated affective memories, contextualizing them and achieving a sense of continuity of life.
music therapy; multiple sclerosis; identity; musical identity
