THUNAIDoes Music Therapy Work for Depression?
We summarise a recent scientific meta-study on music’s impact on depression symptoms. Let’s see how effective it is!
A Cochrane statistical review of 55 clinical trials performed in 2020 relating to music therapy and music medicine, whose difference we explore below, established the following:
Music therapy and Music medicine in various forms are highly effective in reducing depression symptoms.
Music Medicine was more effective in reducing symptoms.
While music intervention did have long-term impact, the greatest impact was near-term and over medium-term.
Recreational therapy, guided imagery and music assisted relaxation were more effective than other techniques such as music-based discussions and improvisational music therapy.
This is a significant study as it reviewed 55 different underlying studies.
Lets understand some of the terms used here.
Music Medicine and Music Therapy
According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), music-based intervention has two types of qualified professionals who work in tandem with their client:
(1) Specialists in Music Medicine
(2) Music Therapists
A music medicine practitioner is a medical doctor who is trained in music therapy and provides music therapy as a complement to medical treatment such as medications. In India, there are not many such professionals.
A music therapist has a personal interaction in a session with the client to understand his/her physical, mental or cognitive challenges. The therapist then prescribes active or receptive music therapy to the client. Having a personal interaction with the client to understand their challenges and providing guidance accordingly, makes a music therapist’s work effective.
Types of Music Therapy
Music Therapy has been broadly classified as active and receptive.
Active music therapy is meant to engage those who are musically trained. It may include composing, improvising and re-creating the songs, lyrics and music.
Receptive music therapy is for everyone! It involves listening to music, analysing lyrics, etc.
There are also different therapy modalities such as:
recreative music therapy
guided imagery with music
music assisted relaxation
improvisational music therapy, etc.
In low income countries, people suffering from depression receive little or no treatment at all due to a lack of adequate medical resources and awareness, and social stigma. Music therapy, in its various forms, could be a low cost way to reach out to the wider population. Please come back for more music www.thunai.org therapy related resources!