Effectiveness of Receptive Music Therapy with Imbedded 10 Hz Binaural Beats Compared with Standard Care for Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Combining Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) with Conventional Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder

For many of the complementary and alternative (CAM) medicine methods, it is biologically plausible to expect that they could provide additional benefits in the treatment of major depressive disorder (e.g., enhanced initial response, augmentation, and tolerability) when combined with conventional treatments. Although most likely not comprehensively, herein we critically review current explicit clinical data pertaining to the most extensively evaluated CAMs in this setting: physical activity/exercise, mind and body methods, acupuncture, light therapy, diet, probiotics, various nutrients, and herbal preparations. While the absolute amount of data is enormous, the number of reliable primary studies (randomized controlled trials) and, particularly, meaningful meta-analyses of such studies are very limited. Consequently, the certainty of evidence about benefit or no benefit is very low for each of the addressed CAMs.

The effect of receptive music therapy on older adults with mild cognitive impairment and depression: a randomized controlled trial

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a receptive music therapy intervention on cognitive functions and depressive symptoms in older adults with MCI. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Wuhan, China. Eighty older adults, over 65, who had MCI and depression symptoms were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received usual nursing care plus receptive music therapy intervention four times a week, for eight weeks; the control group received usual nursing care during the same period. The linear regression analysis was used to compare the difference between groups. There was a significant difference in the intervention group for the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores of cognitive function and depression. There was no significant difference in the control group before and after the study period and a significant between-group difference in both cognitive function and depression. In conclusion, receptive music therapy intervention significantly improved cognitive function and reduced depressive symptoms in older adults with MCI. It could be widely used in communities and nursing homes to improve the quality of life of older adults.

Effects of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with ADHD by activating serotonin and improving stress coping ability

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by activating serotonin (5-HT) and improving stress coping ability.

METHODS

This study is designed based on randomization method. A total of 36 subjects participated in the experiment, consisting of an ADHD control group (n = 18) and ADHD music therapy group (n = 18). The ADHD control group received standard care, while the ADHD music therapy group received music therapy and standard care. The ADHD music therapy group received both active music therapy (improvisation) and receptive music therapy (music listening) for 50 minutes, twice a week, for 3 months: a total of 24 times. From a neurophysiological perspective, changes in depression and stress were tracked by measuring 5-HT secretion, cortisol expression, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and CDI and DHQ psychological scales.

RESULTS

The ADHD music therapy group's 5-HT secretion increased (p < 0.001), whereas cortisol expression (p < 0.001), BP (p < 0.001) and HR (p < 0.001) decreased. The CDI and DHQ psychological scales also showed positive changes (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the ADHD Con G's (who did not receive music therapy) 5-HT secretion did not increase, whereas cortisol expression, BP, and HR did not decrease. In addition, the CDI and DHQ psychological scales did not display positive changes.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the application of music therapy as an alternative treatment for ADHD children and adolescents showed positive neurophysiological and psychological effects. Therefore, this study would like to propose a new alternative to medicine for preventing and treating depression through various uses of music therapy.

Study protocol to support the development of an all-night binaural beat frequency audio program to entrain sleep

Background

Given that the stages of sleep have specific brainwave patterns, it may be feasible to manipulate brainwaves to induce stages of sleep to improve better sleep quality. Binaural beat frequencies (BBFs) are an auditory-neurologic technique that uses auditory tones via headphones to manipulate brainwave activity in turn affecting the listener's state of consciousness. However, BBFs are often sold in only one frequency which may not allow the listener to transition through the phases of sleep. This study is Phase 2 of a four-phase feasibility study to assess if systematically sequencing a variety of BBFs can improve sleep efficiency.

Methods

This protocol uses a two cohort unblinded and double-blinded, randomized, pre- and post-intervention methods and crossover matched group design. In Cohort 1, a sample of 106 participants with poor sleep quality will be randomized into two groups. All participants will start with 1 week of no intervention. Group 1 will use theta/delta BBF for 2 weeks followed by 1 week of no intervention followed by music for 2 weeks. Group 2 will do the reverse. In Cohort 2, 62 participants will be blinded and randomized into two groups. Group 3 will use music for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week break followed by music embedded with theta/delta BBF for 2 weeks. Group 4 will do the reverse. Using Cohort 1 music only as a control, data will be collected using sleep actigraphy, sleep quality questionnaires, and sleep diaries with a crossover and match group analysis between cohorts to compare the effect of no intervention vs. music vs. BBF only vs. music with BBF on sleep quality.

Discussion

Phase 1 concluded that theta BBF was able to decrease stress to help induce sleep. Phase 2 will assess if theta and delta BBFs, with breaks to allow for REM, will be able to sustain sleep to improve sleep efficiency. The data from Phase 1 and 2 will provide information to help construct an all-night audio program with the appropriate BBF and timing to trigger the correct sleep stage for better sleep efficiency. If this concept is feasible, it could be beneficial for many sleep disorders.

Potential Benefits of Music Therapy on Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke is associated with a high rate of disability and mortality, and survivors are usually accompanied with dysphagia, aphasia, motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression, and other complications. In the past decades, many studies have been conducted to reveal the pathogenesis and pathological mechanisms of stroke. Furthermore, treatment methods have been developed that contribute to the elevated survival rate of stroke patients. Early rehabilitation poststroke is starting to be recognized as important and has been receiving increasing attention in order to further improve the quality of life of the patients. As an emerging method of poststroke rehabilitation, music therapy can help attenuate dysphagia and aphasia, improve cognition and motor function, alleviate negative moods, and accelerate neurological recovery in stroke patients. This review helps summarize the recent progress that has been made using music therapy in stroke rehabilitation and is aimed at providing clinical evidence for the treatment of stroke patients.