Musicothérapie réceptive et anorexie mentale. Évaluation du dispositif DéPi-AM de détente psychomusicale dans l’accompagnement d’adolescentes hospitalisées : étude pilote auprès de 8 patientes

Objectives

This pilot study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of music therapy in decreasing anxiety and dysmorphophobia experienced in a care unit during the institutional and distressful moment of weighing.

Patients and method

We adapted a technique of receptive music therapy, the so-called DéPi-AM for psychomusical relaxation, with eight adolescent girls (14;8 ± 2 years;4) hospitalized for four months on average for restrictive anorexia nervosa. The participants received eight music therapy sessions followed by eight control evaluation sessions without music therapy. Quantitative data were collected in three evaluation conditions (pre-session, post-session, and no music therapy).

Results

Results suggest that music therapy significantly reduces perceived anxiety (as measured by the STAI-Y A; P = 0.01, and the “EVN”; P = 0687). Moreover, compared to the control condition, music therapy significantly contributed to a reduction in the systolic blood pressure (P = 0.03) and heart frequency (P = 02). Results additionally showed that this weighing time significantly increases all physiological constants (systolic blood pressure; P = 0.01, diastolic blood pressure; P = 0.05, and heart frequency; P = 0.04) in contrast to another trivial, emotionally “neutral” day.

Discussion

This first quantitative study on the effectiveness of music therapy in adolescents suffering from anorexia nervosa shows encouraging results. The proved anxiety-provoking effect of this strategic institutional time in the care of these adolescents legitimizes the use and benefits of this type of therapeutic group. Undoubtedly, methodological limitations constrain the generalization of findings. Future studies should adopt a mixed (quantitative and qualitative) and transversal methodology. They would surely contribute to refine the profile of those patients, for whom this therapy appears to represent a promising care approach.

Conclusions

Overall findings suggest a positive impact of receptive music therapy in decreasing experienced and perceived anxiety. Integrating programs such as the “DéPi-AM” into the therapeutic intervention offered by the care unit could therefore represent a key element when accompanying hospitalized patients during a key and anxious period.