Telecommunication technologies as a medium for music psychotherapy in educational settings

This study investigates the feasibility of using classical music to treat non-clinical depression in undergraduate students.

The large-scale depression screening was performed on a sample of 1283 full-time students using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Of these participants, 21% had non-clinical depression. Individuals at high depression risk of depression were divided into two groups. The experimental group comprised 114 students (mean age 23.4 years) who received a music therapy program delivered through telecommunication technologies. This program also integrated standard therapeutic methods, such as reflection, songwriting, and dance improvisation. The control group comprised 113 students (mean age, 23.2 years) and received standard treatment (i.e., reflective listening, art therapy, and socio-psychological workshops). The group-based therapy sessions lasted 1.5 h per session for 10 weeks.

The outcomes of treatment were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Results show a reduction of depression risk in both groups. The experimental groups scored an average of 37.43 points out of a possible 80 on the SDS scale, and the control group scored 37.48 out of 80. The Mann-Whitney U-test failed to reveal any significant difference in effectiveness between the two treatment programs (p = 0.994). Music intervention requires a certified music therapist to be involved. Hence, universities may want to integrate simpler and more familiar programs like art therapy and fairy tale therapy.

The present findings are largely in line with similar research. This study will be of interest to specialists involved in the screening of non-clinical mental illnesses in schools and universities. The findings can also be useful to those engaged in music psychotherapy.