Active music therapy reduces depressive symptoms and enhances sleep and daily-life autonomy in older adults.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of active music therapy on mood, sleep, and daily functioning in institutionalized older adults without dementia.

Methods: Eighty-five participants aged 65 and older were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 39; mean age = 73.5 ± 5.1) receiving active music therapy involving singing, rhythmic instruments, and movement, or a control group (n = 46; mean age = 72.8 ± 5.7) engaged in passive music listening. Sessions lasted one hour, three times weekly for ten weeks. Assessments before and after the intervention included the Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Everyday Competence Questionnaire.

Results: Compared to controls, participants in the active therapy group showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances, alongside improved everyday competence, with medium-to-large effect sizes. Cognitive performance remained stable in both groups.

Conclusions: Active music therapy thus emerges as a safe, low-cost, and non-pharmacological intervention that enhances emotional well-being, sleep quality, and autonomy among cognitively preserved institutionalized older adults.

Clinical implications: These findings highlight music therapy as an engaging and effective strategy to reduce depressive symptoms, improve subjective sleep perception and daytime functioning, and promote independence and resilience in aging populations.