The additional therapeutic effect of group music therapy for schizophrenic patients: a randomized study.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is one of the most serious mental disorders. Music therapy has only recently been introduced as a form of treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of music therapy for schizophrenic in-patients needing acute care. METHOD: Thirty-seven patients with psychotic disorders were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Both groups received medication and treatment indicated for their disorder. Additionally, the experimental group (n = 21) underwent group music therapy. RESULTS: Significant effects of music therapy are found in patients' self-evaluation of their psychosocial orientation and for negative symptoms. No differences were found in the quality of life. CONCLUSION: Musical activity diminishes negative symptoms and improves interpersonal contact. These positive effects of music therapy could increase the patient's abilities to adapt to the social environment in the community after discharge from the hospital.

Author information

Author/s: Ulrich, G (G); Houtmans, T (T); Gold, C (C);

Affiliation: Rhenish Clinic Bedburg-Hau, Bedburg-Hau, Germany. gunnarulrich(-atsign-)tiscali.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand), published in Denmark. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Nov; vol 116 (issue 5) : pp 362-70

Dates: Created 2007/10/08; Completed 2008/02/06;

PMID: 17919155, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.