Music-instruction intervention for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: a randomized pilot study. BMC Psychol 2018 Dec 19;6(1):60
Date
12/21/2018Pubmed ID
30567598Pubmed Central ID
PMC6299962DOI
10.1186/s40359-018-0274-8Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85058871441 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 21 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common sequelae of severe combat-related emotional trauma that is often associated with significantly reduced quality of life in afflicted veterans. To date, no published study has examined the effect of an active, music-instruction intervention as a complementary strategy to improve the psychological well-being of veterans with PTSD. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of an active, music-instruction intervention in improving psychological health and social functioning among Veterans suffering from moderate to severe PTSD.
METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective, delayed-entry randomized pilot trial. Regression-adjusted difference in means were used to examine the intervention's effectiveness with respect to PTSD symptomatology (primary outcome) as well as depression, perceptions of cognitive failures, social functioning and isolation, and health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes).
RESULTS: Of the 68 Veterans who were self- or provider-referred to the program, 25 (36.7%) were ineligible due to (i) absence of a PTSD diagnosis (n = 3); participation in ongoing intense psychotherapy (n = 4) or inpatient substance abuse program (n = 2); current resident of the Domiciliary (n = 8) and inability to participate due to distance of residence from the VA (n = 8). Only 3 (4.4%) Veterans declined participation due to lack of interest. The mean age of enrolled subjects was 51 years old [range: 22 to 76]. The majority was male (90%). One-quarter were African American or Black. While 30% report working full or part time, 45% were retired due to disability. Slightly over one-quarter were veterans of the OEF/OIF wars. Estimates from regression-adjusted treatment effects indicate that the average PTSD severity score was reduced by 9.7 points (p = 0.01), or 14.3% from pre- to post-intervention. Similarly, adjusted depressive symptoms were reduced by 20.4% (- 6.3 points, p = 0.02). There were no statistically significant regression-adjusted effects on other outcomes, although the direction of change was consistent with improvements.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the active, music-instruction program holds promise as a complementary means of ameliorating PTSD and depressive symptoms among this population.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with protocol number Medical College of Wisconsin PRO00019269 on 11/29/2018 (Retrospectively registered).
Author List
Pezzin LE, Larson ER, Lorber W, McGinley EL, Dillingham TRAuthors
Eric Larson PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinEmily L. McGinley Biostatistician III in the Center for Advancing Population Science department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Liliana Pezzin PhD, JD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Depression
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Music
Music Therapy
Pilot Projects
Prospective Studies
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Quality of Life
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Stress, Psychological
Treatment Outcome
Veterans
