A new mobile tool to deliver music therapy, and help paediatric patients cope with the fear, isolation and pain associated with being in the hospital has been developed by scientists.

Making an announcement in this regard, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA described the Music Rx unit as a high-tech, interactive studio on wheels that includes everything necessary for music therapy, both in group settings and one-on-one.

The experts said that the device holds a variety of instruments, including drums, keyboards and guitars, as well as Apple GarageBand software for recording music, a custom-built iPod docking station with 10 iPods to loan, and a large LCD screen that plays hundreds of music videos.

The cart was officially unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Mattel Children's Hospital on Wednesday.

The Music Rx cart was donated to UCLA's Child Life/Child Development Services department by the Children's Cancer Association (CCA), with support from the Starlight Children's Foundation.

UCLA is one of first hospitals to participate in the CCA's nationwide expansion of the Music Rx program, which began in Portland, Ore.

"We are proud to join hands with our friends at Mattel Children's Hospital and Starlight to bring the healing power of music to thousands of hospitalized children in California. The staff have been incredible partners throughout this project, and I have no doubt they will change lives through the Music Rx Program," said Mary Turina, president and CEO of the CCA