Effects of group singing versus group music listening on hospitalized children and adolescents with mental disorders: A pilot study.

Heliyon. 2018 Dec 17;4(12):e01014. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01014. eCollection 2018 Dec. Grebosz-Haring K1,2, Thun-Hohenstein L3. Author information 1 Department of Art History, Musicology and Dance Studies, University of Salzburg, Austria. 2 Focus Area 'Science and Art', University of Salzburg and University Mozarteum Salzburg, Bergstrasse 12, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. 3 University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Christian-Doppler-Klinik Salzburg - Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Ignaz-Harrer-Straße 79, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. Abstract BACKGROUND: There is an emerging view that music-related interventions (MuRI) may play an important role for youth with mental disorders. Here, we assessed the potential neuroendocrine (cortisol), immune (IgA) and psychological (mood state, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), well-being) efficacy of a brief program of MuRI (group singing versus group music listening) in children and adolescents with mental disorders in a clinical setting. METHODS: We performed this observational pilot study with 17 patients (aged 11-18; 11 female) admitted to the Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/PMU Salzburg, Austria between March 2015 and April 2016. Patients participated in either a singing program or a music listening program, delivered through five daily, consecutive 45-minute sessions in one week. OUTCOMES: Saliva samples for cortisol and IgA, and subjective measures of mood were taken daily, pre- and post-MuRI. HRQOL and well-being were measured pre- and post-5-day-program of MuRI. The program in singing led to a significantly larger mean drop in cortisol than in music listening (mean difference: -0·32; 95% CI -0·57 to -0·07), while listening led to a significantly higher mean positive change in the dimension calmness (mean difference: -2·66, 95%CI -4·99 to -0·33) than singing. Moreover, singing was associated with an improvement in HRQOL, and listening with an improvement in well-being. INTERPRETATION: Our preliminary findings suggest that MuRI may provide benefits for children and adolescents with mental disorders. The differences in psychobiological responses to singing and music listening invite further investigations. A larger, suitably powered study is now needed to provide a precise estimate of the effects of MuRI for mental health promotion, both on psychological and biological experiences. Funding: Salzburg Festival, Austria, and Focus Area 'Science and Art', Salzburg, Austria. KEYWORDS: Clinical psychology; Pediatrics; Psychiatry; Psychology PMID: 30582039 PMCID: PMC6299041 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01014