Washington: A new study has revealed that music therapy can help emotionally troubled children and adolescents by reducing depression.
In the largest ever study of its kind, the researchers in partnership with the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust, found that children who received music therapy had significantly improved self-esteem and significantly reduced depression compared with those who received treatment without music therapy.
The study also found that those who received music therapy had improved communicative and interactive skills, compared to those who received usual care options alone.
Ciara Reilly, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust, said that music therapy has often been used with children and young people with particular mental health needs, but this was the first time its effectiveness has been shown by a definitive randomized controlled trial in a clinical setting.
The findings suggested that the need for music therapy should be made available as a mainstream treatment option, she further added.
