Current treatment approaches for depression center on various forms of psychosocial therapy and the use of antidepressant drugs. The response rates for both of these approaches are similar, with mostly reduction, but not complete remission, of symptoms. Poor adherence to recommended treatment is an issue complicating the management of depression and prevention of recurrent episodes. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel form of receptive music therapy which can be easily adminstered to out patients.

Enrolled subjects (n=203, average age 49.6 ± 13.1 years, 28.1% male) were randomized into four arms: Music Therapy 1 (MT1), Music Therapy 2 (MT2), Placebo (nature sounds) and waiting-list Control. Subjects listened for 30 minutes, twice daily. Multivariate linear regression models assessed depressive symptom changes over five weeks, based on a composite scale (COMP) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D) alone.

On average, a significant, positive change in COMP was observed for MT1 (β=1.44, p=0.030), but not for MT2 (β=1.14, p=0.059) or Placebo (β=0.57, p=0.397). After 15 weeks, study participation was associated with a mean HAM-D score reduction of 60% for 89,1% of the compliant probands.

Newly composed receptive music therapy, as explored in this study, is associated with reduced depressive symptoms and high treatment compliance, and may therefore potentially represent an effective depression treatment alternative or adjunctive therapy to pharmacological and psychosocial approaches.