Background
Music therapy has previously been found to be effective in
the treatment of depression but the studies have been
methodologically insufficient and lacking in clarity about the
clinical model employed.
Aims
To determine the efficacy of music therapy added to
standard care compared with standard care only in the
treatment of depression among working-age people.
Method
Participants (n = 79) with an ICD–10 diagnosis of depression
were randomised to receive individual music therapy plus
standard care (20 bi-weekly sessions) or standard care only,
and followed up at baseline, at 3 months (after intervention)
and at 6 months. Clinical measures included depression,
anxiety, general functioning, quality of life and alexithymia.
Trial registration: ISRCTN84185937.
Results
Participants receiving music therapy plus standard care
showed greater improvement than those receiving standard
care only in depression symptoms (mean difference 4.65,
95% CI 0.59 to 8.70), anxiety symptoms (1.82, 95% CI 0.09 to
3.55) and general functioning (74.58, 95% CI 78.93 to
70.24) at 3-month follow-up. The response rate was
significantly higher for the music therapy plus standard care
group than for the standard care only group (odds ratio 2.96,
95% CI 1.01 to 9.02).
Conclusions
Individual music therapy combined with standard care is
effective for depression among working-age people with
depression. The results of this study along with the previous
research indicate that music therapy with its specific qualities
is a valuable enhancement to established treatment practices.
Declaration of interest
None.