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1: Br J Psychiatry. 2006 Nov;189:405-9.Click here to read Links
Comment in:
Evid Based Ment Health. 2007 Aug;10(3):77.

Music therapy for in-patients with schizophrenia: exploratory randomised controlled trial.

Talwar N, Crawford MJ, Maratos A, Nur U, McDermott O, Procter S.

Department of Psychological Medicine, Claybrook Centre, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP, UK.

BACKGROUND: Music therapy may provide a means of improving mental health among people with schizophrenia, but its effects in acute psychoses have not been explored. AIMS: To examine the feasibility of a randomised trial of music therapy for inpatients with schizophrenia, and explore its effects on mental health. METHOD: Up to 12 weeks of individual music therapy plus standard care were compared with standard care alone. Masked assessments of mental health, global functioning and satisfaction with care were conducted at 3 months. RESULTS: Of 115 eligible patients 81 (70%) were randomised. Two-thirds of those randomised to music therapy attended at least four sessions (median attendance, eight sessions). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a trend towards improved symptom scores among those randomised to music therapy, especially in general symptoms of schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: A randomised trial of music therapy for in-patients with schizophrenia is feasible. The effects and cost-effectiveness of music therapy for acute psychosis should be further explored in an explanatory randomised trial.

PMID: 17077429 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]