Music Therapy Research Paper

Music Therapy and its Effectiveness with Depression
Introduction
Music therapy is an established profession which addresses physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of the patient ("Definition and Quotes”). Within the past year, research has proven that it lowers depression in adolescents and young adults. Music has had a long history of therapeutic and healing effects; however, it is not widely used for depression because research is still in development. If music therapy is an accepted as an effective treatment for depression, suicide rates associated with depression would decrease, therapy for depression would become more enjoyable, and treatment options for adolescents and young adults would become safer and more affordable.

The Center for the Advancement of Health, a non-profit medical organization, estimates that about 121 million people suffer from this illness (Center for the Advancement of Health), making it the most common form of mental disease. Some symptoms of depression include: altered appetite, disturbed sleep patterns, and weakened overall function (“Depression). Depression is commonly associated with low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and guilt (“Depression”). According to the World Health Organization, a United Nations health department, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability among Americans age 15 to 44 (“Antidepressant Medications”). The stimulus packet states that even geniuses like Galileo were often bedridden with depression (Simonton). The illness has also become increasingly present with children and young adults. The National Institute of Mental Health states that approximately 11 percent of young adults display symptoms of depression before they reach 18 years old (“Depression”). Experts estimate that about 5 percent of all adolescents in the United States experience moderate to severe depression (“Depression”). Thankfully, research has shown that, as in adults, depression in children and adolescents is treatable which is why it is crucial to explore and improve all possible treatments for depression

The study included 251 children and young adults with existing depression and lasted from March of 2011 to March of 2014 (Caba). The test pool was split into two groups, one receiving typical forms of treatment and the other group receiving typical treatments coupled with music therapy. The results showed that the group receiving music therapy as well as typical care saw vast improvements with self esteem, drops in symptoms of depression, and an improvement in communication skills (Caba). A therapist can talk with a client, but a qualified music therapist can use music to actively link a client to their psycho-emotional state quickly (“Definition and Quotes”). Queen’s University Belfast ran multiple follow up reports and discovered that the therapy had long term effects. In reply to this study, Reilly said, “For a long time we have relied on anecdotal evidence and small-scale research findings about how well music therapy works. Now we have robust clinical evidence to show its beneficial effects” (Caba). The university is currently investigating whether music therapy can act as a replacement for current forms of treatment like antidepressants and psychotherapy; however, this is still in development (Caba). The results from this study have shown promise