Nicole Digironimo* and Randy S
Abstract
Different authors have reflected the beneficial effects of music in alleviating the psychopathic states in humans. Music exhibits its therapeutic effects by alleviating the neuropsychological and psychopathic disorders. Music could also convey a certain mood or ambiance that allows composers to evoke certain emotions based on their cultural backgrounds or ethnic profile. The emotional state itself played a significant role in interpreting the music. Although different studies have endorsed the role of music in alleviating depressive symptoms, very few studies have suggested the domain and extent of music-based interventions for managing MDD alone or comorbid MDD. The methodology is this present study was based on a keyword search strategy. The keywords related to appropriate Boolean connectors to retrieve the relevant articles from various clinical websites such as Pubmed Central, Cochrane database, PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and OVID Online. The present study utilized an extended literature review that explored the role of music as a therapeutic aid against depression. The review illustrated those different types of music genres appeal in a differential manner to the clients. The review demonstrated that jazz music or percussion music was more effective than the classical music genre in reducing the symptoms of depression. The study also showed that exposure to music for short duration was more effective in alleviating the symptoms of depression. However, the review did not elucidate the mechanisms by which music therapy reduced the symptoms of depression. Likewise, the review also did not highlight the role of music therapy in reducing the prevalence of relapse with depression.