Treating depression through music

Considering that suicides by way of depression claim so many lives each year, it's encouraging to hear about a new therapy that may have some benefits in the future. Music speaks to the soul, so it is no surprise to find a group of researchers trying to find a way to implement "music therapy" for patients with depression.

Four small studies were uncovered that give insight to how this potential treatment could help. They showed that the symptoms and signs of depression were reduced among patients undergoing music therapy. These results were greater than those reductions found among people in other therapy groups which had no music.

Even though the studies were small, it gives hope that larger trials may be on the horizon. If an institute were able to conduct bigger studies regarding musical treatment for depression, therapists may have another (perhaps more effective) weapon to fight suicides.