Impact of Music Therapy in Reducing the Severity of Depression Measured by MADRS among Depression Patients: A Randomized Control Study

Background: The most serious and frequent mental disorders worldwide is depression. Depression is also known for second major cause of morbidity after cardiovascular disease throughout the world by 2020 as predicted by the World Health Organisation. Various treatment options are available for treating depression which includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Non-pharmacological treatment options like yoga, meditation and music therapy are gaining importance. Objectives: To assess the efficacy of music therapy in reducing the severity of depression using 10-item, clinician administered Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) among depression patients. Materials and methods: Music therapy was administered to depression patients weekly two sessions for one hour duration over a period of 2 months. The impact of this was measured by using MADRS rating scale. Results: The mean score of depression as assessed by MADRS was reduced significantly from 32.90±14.16 to 2.00±1.76 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Music therapy with Indian classical music is beneficial in alleviating the severity of symptoms of depression among depression patients.