Music to improve sleep quality in adults with depression-related insomnia (MUSTAFI): randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia in depression is common and difficult to resolve. Unresolved depression-related sleep disturbances increase risk of relapse at high costs for individuals and society. Trials have suggested music for insomnia in various populations, but there is little research on the effectiveness of music for depression-related insomnia. METHODS: We examined the efficacy of a music intervention on insomnia, depression symptoms and quality of life in adults with depression-related insomnia. A two-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted, including depression outpatients with insomnia (n = 112) in a 1:1 ratio to music intervention and waitlist control group. The intervention group listened to music at bedtime for 4 weeks. Participants received treatment as usual during 8 weeks with assessments at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure was Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), secondary outcomes comprised Actigraphy, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and World Health Organisation well-being questionnaires (WHO-5, WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The music intervention group experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and well-being at 4 weeks according to global PSQI scores (effect size = -2.1, 95%CI -3.3; -0.9) and WHO-5 scores (effect size 8.4, 95%CI 2.7;14.0). At 8 weeks, i.e. 4 weeks after termination of the music intervention, the improvement in global PSQI scores had decreased (effect size = -0.1, 95%CI -1.3; 1.1). Actigraphy sleep assessments showed no changes and there was no detection of change in depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Music intervention is suggested as a safe and moderately effective sleep aid in depression-related insomnia. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. ID NCT03676491.

Music to improve sleep quality in adults with depression-related insomnia (MUSTAFI): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder for adults with depression, with major impact on their quality of life. Previous trials suggest that listening to music may be helpful in the treatment of sleep disturbances in healthy populations, including students and elderly. In addition, small studies with clinical populations of traumatized refugees, adults with chronic insomnia and adults with depression insomnia add to the evidence base. However, the impact of music listening in the treatment of depression related insomnia is not well documented. OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of music listening on sleep quality, symptoms of depression, and quality of life in adults with depression-related insomnia. METHOD: A single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a two-arm parallel-group design is conducted and reported according to the CONSORT guidelines. The trial consists of an experimental group and a standard care control group. Both groups receive standard treatment for depression following Danish clinical guidelines in an outpatient psychiatry unit. The experimental group listens to music for a minimum of 30 minutes at bedtime for 4 weeks. DISCUSSION: This trial will provide information on the efficacy of music intervention as a non-pharmacological intervention in the treatment of depression-related insomnia. This study will provide novel knowledge concerning music medicine as an evidence-based treatment for depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov. ID NCT03676491, registered on 19 September 2018.