Individual music therapy for depression: randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Previous studies on music therapy for depression had methodological limitations.
• The clinical model employed in prior research lacked clarity.
• There is a need to establish the efficacy of music therapy as an adjunct treatment for depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the efficacy of music therapy added to standard care versus standard care alone.
• To assess the impact of music therapy on depression among working-age individuals.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 79 participants diagnosed with depression.
• Intervention group received 20 bi-weekly sessions of individual music therapy plus standard care.
• Control group received standard care only.
• Follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months, measuring depression, anxiety, functioning, quality of life, and alexithymia.

Main Results:

• The music therapy group showed significantly greater improvement in depression symptoms (MD 4.65) and anxiety symptoms (MD 1.82) at 3 months.
• General functioning also improved in the music therapy group (MD -4.58).
• The response rate was significantly higher in the music therapy plus standard care group (OR 2.96).

Conclusions:

• Individual music therapy, when combined with standard care, is an effective treatment for depression in working-age adults.
• Music therapy serves as a valuable enhancement to established depression treatment practices.
• The findings support the integration of music therapy into mental health treatment protocols.