Western Classical Music May Aid Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression

Study Shows Music Can Activate Brains That Don't Respond to Antidepressants

Background

Western classical music may help activate the brains of patients who do not respond to antidepressant treatment, according to a new study. The research, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, is the first to show that music can have a significant effect on the brains of patients with treatment-resistant depression.

The study included 13 patients with treatment-resistant depression who already had electrodes implanted in their brains for the purpose of deep brain stimulation, a treatment for severe depression. The researchers played the patients classical music for 30 minutes each day for four weeks. They then compared the patients' brain activity before and after listening to music.

The results showed that listening to music led to increased activity in several brain regions that are involved in mood regulation, including the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. The researchers also found that the patients' symptoms of depression improved after listening to music.

Implications

The findings of this study suggest that music may be a helpful adjunctive treatment for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Music therapy has been shown to have a number of benefits for people with depression, including reducing symptoms of depression, improving mood, and increasing relaxation.

This study provides further evidence that music can have a positive impact on the brain and mental health. Music therapy may be a valuable tool for helping people with treatment-resistant depression.