The effect of traditional music on mental status of chronic schizophrenic patients: a clinical trial study

Background and aims: Music therapy is a simple and inexpensive method for the treatment of some psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of traditional music on the mental state of hospitalized chronic schizophrenia patients. Methods: In this clinical trial, 30 schizophrenia patients in the intervention group received routine treatment and attended music therapy sessions and 30 patients in the control group received routine treatment alone. Group music therapy sessions with traditional music were conducted 5 times a week for 2 months. Demographic questionnaire and Andreasen’s positive and negative symptoms questionnaires were completed at baseline and after the completion of music therapy sessions. Data analysis was conducted in SPSS version 16.0 using independent and paired t tests. Results: The mean scores of delusion (P=0.001) and bizarre behavior (P=0.036) and the total score of the SAPS (P=0.001) significantly decreased after intervention in the music therapy group. However, in the control group, the differences in the total and individual domain scores of the SAPS were not significant (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the control and music therapy groups in the total and individual domain scores of the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) before and after the intervention (P>0.05). Additionally, before and after the study, the mean score of avolition in the music therapy group was significantly lower compared to the control group (P=0.03). The mean score of alogia in the music therapy group was significantly lower compared to the control group (P=0.01). Conclusion: Music therapy is effective in improving most of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and some of its negative aspects, and therefore can be used as a complementary therapy along with drug therapy.