Benefits of music therapy during pregnancy
The effects of music therapy on stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnant women were studied by researchers at the National Tainan Institute of Nursing in Taiwan.
First, the details.
- 236 pregnant women were randomly assigned to music therapy or a control.
- The music therapy included 2 weeks of music exposure.
- The control group received only general prenatal care.
- Psychological health was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (S-STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
And, the results.
- The music therapy group showed significant decreases in perceived stress, anxiety, and depression after delivery.
- The control group only showed a significant decrease in perceived stress, which was less than in the music group.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “This controlled trial provides preliminary evidence that 2-week music therapy during pregnancy provides quantifiable psychological benefits.”
It’s cheap and apparently a useful complementary treatment technique.
11/16/08 17:41 JR