Playing musical instruments and singing helps people in a state of depression and stress, according to researchers from Finland.
The researchers have conducted tests on 79 volunteers suffering from depression. They were divided into two groups, the first receiving conventional therapy (interviews with a psychologist), and the second having additionally 20 sessions of music therapy: the participants played drums.
As a result, the patients engaged in music easier rehabilitated after therapy than the patients in the first group. Professor Christian Gold of the University of Jyväskylä said tests have shown that music therapy, when added to conventional methods, helps people to lower their levels of depression and anxiety.
According to him, music helps people to interact, even in situations where they are unable to find the words to describe their inner experiences in a conversation with a psychologist.
