Effects of Music Therapy in the Reduction of Pre-Meal Anxiety in Patients Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Literature reviews appear to indicate that Music Therapy (MT) may instil a sense of empowerment and generate feelings of renewed self-confidence, distracting subjects who follow this type of intervention from negative thoughts and, generally, helping patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) to redevelop or rediscover their identity. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to investigate whether MT proposed before an evening meal is capable of decreasing pre-meal anxiety in adolescents suffering from AN who follow the Day-hospital Treatment Programme at the San Bortolo Hospital of Vicenza (Italy). A total of 24 patients participated voluntarily in once-weekly sessions of group-based MT conducted by a qualified music therapist over a period of six months. Before evening meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, pre-meal anxiety was measured using a self-report scale, and the MT group session occurred every Wednesday before the evening meal was consumed. MT activities were both active and receptive. It has been found that with respect to Mondays and Tuesdays, pre-meal anxiety was significantly lower on Wednesdays following participation in the MT group. MT is evidently capable of reducing pre-meal anxiety and may be adopted as a supportive element in treatment plans relating to patients with AN in a day-hospital treatment programme.

Music therapy for anxiety disorders in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review

“…The study found improvements in not only anxiety after this weeklong intervention, but also in negative thinking [15]. Ceccato and Roveran studied a sample of adolescent females with anorexia nervosa and found improvements in pre-meal anxiety after group music therapy [19]. Additional reports from the study indicated that participants were spontaneously utilizing the music from the sessions on their own time, in order to relax or relive emotions from the group sessions [19].…”

“…All six studies showed significant improvements in anxiety for adolescents and young adults receiving music therapy [14,15,16,17,18,19].…”

“…The quasi-experimental study of performing arts college students by Hernandez-Ruiz showed significantly improved anxiety scores after a five-minute online music experience [18]. In a quasi-experimental study examining 14 to 25-year-old females with anorexia nervosa, Ceccato and Roveran found significantly lower levels of pre-meal anxiety after group music therapy [19].…”

“…Three passive interventions were employed among two studies: receptive musical experience based on the therapeutic function of music (TFM) [18], receptive music-assisted relaxation (MAR) and live patientselected music (LPSM) [17]. Two studies integrated active and passive methods with individual and group music therapy [14], [19]. Out of the six studies, four utilized music therapy as a stand-alone treatment [14], [15], [16], [18] and two utilized music therapy as an adjunctive treatment [17], [19].…”

“…Two studies integrated active and passive methods with individual and group music therapy [14], [19]. Out of the six studies, four utilized music therapy as a stand-alone treatment [14], [15], [16], [18] and two utilized music therapy as an adjunctive treatment [17], [19].…”