Materials and methods
Study design
The research design was a randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to a music intervention group (MIG) or a usual care group (UCG), using a computer-generated list of random numbers. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, the post test, and a 3-month follow-up.
Randomization was conducted by a person independent of the research, and extensive steps were taken to mask the research to the participants’ allocation status. Assessors who conducted the PANSS and CDSS assessment for participants were blinded. Assessors did not know each
participant’s respective group.