Music Therapy in Depression: Exploring Mechanisms and Efficacy in Rat Models

Background/Objectives: Depression is a common mental disorder, and traditional treatments are often associated with side effects, making it particularly important to identify safe and effective alternative therapies. As a non-invasive intervention, music therapy has attracted increasing attention in the field of mental health in recent years. Methods: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of music interventions in alleviating depressive symptoms through a systematic review of their effects on a rat model of depression. The databases PubMed, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Ovid MEDLINE were searched for publications dated between January 2010 and November 2024. Results: First, the construction methods and behavioral test approaches used in depressive rat models were introduced and analyzed. Second, the effects of music on the physiological and biochemical indexes, as well as the neural structure and function of depressed rats, were discussed. The types of music influencing depressive behaviors in rats were also summarized and discussed. Finally, current concerns and challenges in translating music therapy into clinical applications for depression were reviewed, alongside future prospects for its development. Conclusions: It is anticipated that this review will pave the way for both basic research and the clinical application of music therapy in the treatment of depression.