Effectiveness of music therapy on the level of depression among institutionalized
senior citizens in selected old age homes, Madurai.

Josephine Cynthia. P
Page No. 59-63

The term depression commonly refers to a down turn in mood which may be relatively transitory
and perhaps due to something trivial. Depression is widespread with at least 16% of patients
receiving care in a primary care setting and a higher percentage in hospitals and nursing homes.
Music is an age-oil part of Ayurveda, the holistic Indian science that promotes a happy and healthy
life style. Music with specific ragas plays a vital role in reducing the level of depression. Objectives:
1.To assess the level of depression among institutionalized senior citizens in selected old age homes
before music therapy. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in terms of reducing
depression among institutionalized senior citizens. 3. To determine the level of depression among
institutionalized senior citizens after music therapy in relation to selected demographic variables.
Method: Quasi experimental two group pre-test and post-test design was adopted for the study.
Samples for this study were 40 senior citizens both male and female from Inba Illam and the
geriatric care unit of the Christian mission hospital. Stratified random sampling technique was used
to select the sample. Data collection was done by using the rating scale developed by the
investigator. Results: The findings revealed that there was a significant difference between the pretest
and post-test level of depression. The obtained mean difference between the pre-test and posttest
depression was 18.85. There was a significant reduction in the depression score among the
senior citizens after music therapy 52.55(SD7.9) ‘t’=2.02 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Music therapy
was effective in reducing the level of depression among institutionalized senior citizens.
Keywords: Music therapy, Depression, Institutionalized senior citizens.