Music Therapy: An Adjunct Treatment Option for Treating Depression in Geriatric Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate provider and staff current knowledge of music therapy as an adjunct treatment option for depression in geriatrics. The study evaluated knowledge enhancement of all participants, as well as, promoting the use of music therapy as an adjunct treatment option. The design of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention focusing on the use of music therapy as an adjunct treatment option for geriatric depression in a southwest urban family practice clinic in Pima County, Tucson, Arizona. An educational patient handout outlining music therapy was provided to the clinic. A quantitative pre and post-test was used to assess knowledge, enhance practice intent, and assess satisfaction of the intervention, and patient handout was assessed. The educational intervention was successful in increasing participant knowledge of music therapy for depressed geriatric patients to music therapy as an adjunct treatment option, as well as, referral resources.