Adjunctive Therapy Using Indian Classical Music in Patients with Schizophrenia in North Karnataka

Abstract Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease which requires long-term rehabilitation. Several types of social rehabilitation group have been established, including social skills training, coping-with-stress training, occupational therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and entertainment therapy. Of these therapies, music therapy has shown significant effects in treating schizophrenia. Aims and Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of group music therapy on psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and also to assess the global functioning postmusic therapy. Methodology: Sixty patients admitted with schizophrenia from DIMHANS, Dharwad, in a tertiary psychiatric care hospital, was taken for study. Thirty patients were assigned to the music therapy group and 30 to standard treatment group. Positive and negative symptoms along with global functioning in schizophrenia patients assessed by SAPS,SANS and GAF scales respectively thrice, before(pre), after(post)music therapy and post 1 month of music therapy. Results: Significant difference between music therapy group and standard therapy group seen, in post music therapy sessions. Conclusion: This is a pilot study done in DIMHANS Dharwad, one of few studies done in India to see the effectiveness of music therapy on positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia along with assessing the effectiveness of music therapy on global functioning. This study showed there is positive and additive effect of music therapy on schizophrenia patients along with standard therapy, rather than standard therapy alone. Hence, along with standard therapy, music therapy should also be added to the treatment of schizophrenia patients for better outcome.