Discussion And Abstract

Running Head: MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 1

Music effectiveness in treatment of depression

Name

Course

Institution

Professor

Date

MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 2

Music effectiveness in treatment of depression

Abstract

Depression has been treated for decades with the use of antidepressants medically and

psychologically through use of music. The feelings of dejection and despondency associated with

depression can thus be treated by use of music which is related to the healing of the body and the

soul. The methods used for the study include questionnaires, interviews, and observation and this

provided the projected expectations of the study. People respond to music and psychological

counseling differently with the use of Electroencephalography in brain transformation (EEG).

Electroencephalography in brain transformation after exposure to music therapy shows positive

results compared to the psychological counseling depression therapy. The study exposed 100

participants above the age of 18 years to 50 years to music therapy and psychological counseling

which is the population mostly associated with depression. The exposed group to music therapy

would give best mental results on depression compared to those exposed to the psychological

treatment. Participants who were exposed to music brought significant change to the EEG

measures of the mind. Music efficiently treats depression and thus it should be recommended over

other psychological and medical treatments.

Discussion on music in treatment of depression

Music has been used by psychological therapists to treat different people suffering from

depression. Research has been done by several scientists to determine if music can manage or

reduce depression levels and if it has negative effects on depressed patients (Erkkilä et al, 2011).

Study has been conducted to find how patients respond to musical therapy whether positively or

negatively. Scientists and medical therapists expect positive results by reducing depression in

MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 3

patients who undergo this kind of treatment. Tests results obtained from Electroencephalograph

(EGG) devices check the bran activities and how patients respond o different music session. The

results from the test subject answer the hypothesis questions, i.e., music does not affect depression,

music enhances depression treatment, and music disrupts therapy on depression.

Results on hypothesis questions

 Music has no effect on depression: EGG results conducted on depressed patients showed

that they responded differently to different music (Blackburn & Bradshaw, 2014). Patients

reacted negatively to music they did not like hence their depressions levels were not

affected. It, therefore, showed that depressed people would not be affected by musical

therapy if the music they were not interested n the music that was being played.

 Music enhances depression treatment: depressed patients were subjected to music therapy

then their EGG results were conducted before and after listening to different music. They

responded positively as their brain cells were relaxed after the treatment. It proved that

music reduced depression levels among different patients (Blackburn & Bradshaw, 2014).

 Music disrupts therapy: some people do not like music hence when it is played, they get

annoyed, and their depression levels increase (Blackburn & Bradshaw, 2014). Some

subjects showed increased heartbeats and escalating levels of their brain activity hence

music disrupted their treatment.

MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 4

Previous research

The research was done in medical facilities by therapists to analyze responses to music

among different patients. EGG and stethoscopes were used to measure depression levels, anxiety

and brain cell activity then record results for assessment (Gold et al, 209). Depressed test subjects

aged between 18 to 65 years in the United States with different psychological issues were sampled

and tested to determine their response to musical therapy. It was clear that many people were

relaxed after listening to different music that they liked. Very few subjects were offended when

they listened to music hence this of therapy was considered suitable for depressed patients.

Implications of the research

The research helped to determine whether the study’s hypothesis was correct. Results

obtained from the analysis showed that musical therapy was useful when used to treat depressed

people because their stress levels declined after listening to different music (Guetin et al, 2009).

The hypothesis that ‘music supports depression treatment,’ was proved to be true. Other

hypothesis statements against this therapy were disapproved by the results obtained. The results

obtained from the study can be used by mental health doctors who deal with depressed patients to

help them heal and have positive perspective towards life. People in the society can be advised to

listen to music every day to reduce stress, and anxiety hence creates a community with happy

people.

Implication and application of music in depression therapy

Many mental doctors and therapist get clients who are depressed, stressed and have high

anxiety levels. Most of them are unwilling to open up and speak their problems to get counseling

(Wang et al, 2015). Music can be used by these doctors to create a relaxed environment hence

MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 5

patients will respond positively to therapy. Doctors can set music systems in their offices to play

music that makes people comfortable and feels free to share their problems. Some versions of

music have good tones and messages that encourage people to have positive perspectives in life

hence they will be helped by different psychological therapy.

Unexpected factors and Limitations of music in therapy

Many test subjects were approached by the researchers and informed of the test procedures.

They were relaxed because they knew they would get help from the therapy. The results may,

therefore, be biased towards the research due to rational expectations of test subjects to get healed.

Patients receiving music therapy may only listen to music when in the office but once they go back

to their homes, their depression levels return to their initial conditions (Guetin et al, 2009). Extra

counseling is therefore required where people speak out their problems and are advised

accordingly. Different age groups have different tastes of music hence doctors need to review their

historical life to determine the best music types to play for them to make the therapy work.

Future research

The hypothesis of the study was supported as music effectively treated the depression on

the studied group. The future researchers should solemnly focus on the study of the kind of music

which treats depression within a short period. These future researchers should focus on identifying

the personal and psychological traits that make music of medicinal value to the treatment of

depression.

MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 6

Conclusion

Music treats depression cases more effectively than the antidepressants and psychological

counselling and thus stress is easily treated by use of music. Individuals affected by depression

can result in the listening of music for effective treatment of depression which does not cause side

effects thus enabling individuals to find a cure. The biases of the results by the different two set

of participants result in giving responses which are not informed due to psychological factors.

Individuals’ characteristics determine the psychological healing of the depression effected by

music, and thus this brings more detail to the concerns of treatment of depression for future

researchers.

MUSIC EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION 7

References

Blackburn, R., & Bradshaw, T. (2014). Music therapy for service users with dementia: a critical

review of the literature. Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing, 21(10), 879-

888.

Erkkilä, J., Punkanen, M., Fachner, J., Ala-Ruona, E., Pöntiö, I., Tervaniemi, M., ... & Gold, C.

(2011). Individual music therapy for depression: randomised controlled trial. The British

journal of psychiatry, 199(2), 132-139.

Gold, C., Solli, H. P., Krüger, V., & Lie, S. A. (2009). Dose–response relationship in music

therapy for people with serious mental disorders: Systematic review and meta-

analysis. Clinical psychology review, 29(3), 193-207.

Guetin, S., Portet, F., Picot, M. C., Pommié, C., Messaoudi, M., Djabelkir, L., ... & Touchon, J.

(2009). Effect of music therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with Alzheimer’s

type dementia: randomised, controlled study. Dementia and geriatric cognitive

disorders, 28(1), 36-46.

Wang, Li, H. C., H. H., Chou, F. H., & Chen, K. M. (2015). The effect of music therapy on

cognitive functioning among older adults: A systematic review and meta-

analysis. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(1), 71-77.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."

Discussion and abstract

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

Ian McGregor

Shannon Williams