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Abstract
Objectives
Auditory hallucinations are a common complaint in patients with schizophrenia. They are also refractory to treatment in a substantial number of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to music on auditory hallucinations, positive and negative symptoms, depression, and quality of life in subjects with schizophrenia.
Methods
Our study employed a single-blind (assessor blinded) randomized design with a crossover trial. Ten patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group (AB group) experienced an initial 'music listening period', followed by a resting period. This sequence was reversed in the second group (BA group). Each period was two weeks in duration. Measurements of outcome were performed by a blind assessor at baseline and at two and four weeks after randomization.
Results
The effect of listening to music on auditory hallucinations, positive and negative symptoms, depression, and quality of life was not statistically significant. On self-report questionnaires, 40% of the subjects reported that 'listening to music was helpful' and 90% responded that they would positively consider listening to music when experiencing an auditory hallucination in the future.
Conclusion
Listening to music did not result in a statistically significant treatment effect according to objective symptom scales. However, several subjects replied that it was 'helpful', implying that it may be useful as an adjunctive treatment for patients suffering from refractory auditory hallucinations.
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