Classical Turkish Music as Group Music Therapy for Inpatients with Schizophrenia: Feasibility and Efficacy

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of classical-Turkish music as group music therapy for inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Methods: Patients in the same clinic were randomly assigned to a study (n= 45) or control (n=40) group. In addition to standard care, the study group underwent group music therapy for twelve sessions over four weeks. Each therapy group consisted of 15 patients. Different classical Turkish melodic contours and patterns were used for each therapy session, which was designed to conventionally suit the atmosphere of that time period in a given day. Our primary outcome measures were changes in the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Global Assessment of Functioning. Results: Group music therapy for schizophrenia inpatients was feasible. Total PANSS scores did not differ between groups in the initial, first, or second week. At the end of the third week, total PANNS scoresfor the music therapy group were significantly lower than those for the controls. By the end of the fourth week, total PANNS scoresfor the music therapy group were significantly lower than thosefor the controls. Group comparisons also showed that music therapy affords significant advantages when trying to improve interpersonal relationships and general psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: This study represents the first group musical therapy trial using classical-Turkish music tones in patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, and these patients showed reductions in symptom severity and improvements in their abilities to adapt to the social environment. Our results suggest that further studies are needed to further explore the long-term effects of group music therapy.