0000000000483232
AUTHOR
Jörg Fachner
Validity and reliability of electroencephalographic frontal alpha asymmetry and frontal midline theta as biomarkers for depression
Electroencephalographic (EEG) frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) and frontal midline (FM) theta have been suggested as biomarkers for depression and anxiety, but have mostly been assessed in small and non-clinical studies. In a clinical sample of 79 adults with depression (ICD-10: F32), resting EEG and scales of depression (MADRS) and anxiety (HADS-A) were measured at intake and after 3 months. FAA and FM theta values were referenced to a normative population database. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and correlations with psychiatric tests were examined. Reliability was sufficient. However, FAA and FM theta values were close to the general population, and correlations with psychia…
On Musical Identities, Social Pharmacology, and Intervention Timing in Music Therapy
How do antidepressants or recreational drugs influence the music experience in the context of therapy or during music performance and listening? Using drugs to enhance performance we can describe a complementary interaction between lifestyle, personal identity and drugs, influencing musical identities in creative processes. Treating depressed clients with individual psychodynamic music therapy (MT) worked well with those also taking anti-depressants, but also initiated a process in which the need for medication started to decrease. While antidepressants may help to keep anxiety, energy loss and rumination within limits, MT induces a process in which emotional limitations are likely to becom…
Individual music therapy for depression: randomised controlled trial
BackgroundMusic therapy has previously been found to be effective in the treatment of depression but the studies have been methodologically insufficient and lacking in clarity about the clinical model employed.AimsTo determine the efficacy of music therapy added to standard care compared with standard care only in the treatment of depression among working-age people.MethodParticipants (n= 79) with an ICD–10 diagnosis of depression were randomised to receive individual music therapy plus standard care (20 bi-weekly sessions) or standard care only, and followed up at baseline, at 3 months (after intervention) and at 6 months. Clinical measures included depression, anxiety, general functioning…
Time is the key – Music and Altered States of Consciusness
Introduction: In this chapter, I will summarize the literature on how music and altered states of consciousness (ASC) are connected. Essential aspects include induction and expression of emotions and rhythmic body movements to music and how an altered experience of music is connected to states of altered temporality. Winkelman (2000) stressed the human capacity for experiencing ASC as a fundamental biological function. Studies on brain functions of altered music experience and temporality (Fachner, 2006b, 2009; Shanon, 2001) convey the natural bases of these phenomena, which have been utilized in shamanistic practice for ages. As Rouget suggested: To shamanize, in other words to sing and da…
Ethno Therapy, Music and Trance: An EEG Investigation into a Sound-Trance Induction
Music has been used since ancient times in healing rituals. It has been played for people to induce altered states of consciousness (ASC), which change the focus of attention, mood, and thoughts about the world and the self. Music and altered states are connected in various ways concerning context, personal set, socio-ecological setting, and cultural beliefs. Discussion is ongoing as to whether music itself induces the changes via a “trance mechanism” or whether the setting and rituals connected to music are responsible for the induction of ASC. The authors conducted an explorative attempt to represent interdependencies of set and setting, sound and trance through electrophysiological corre…
The effect of improvisational music therapy on the treatment of depression: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Abstract Background Music therapy is frequently offered to individuals suffering from depression. Despite the lack of research into the effects of music therapy on this population, anecdotal evidence suggests that the results are rather promising. The aim of this study is to examine whether improvisational, psychodynamically orientated music therapy in an individual setting helps reduce symptoms of depression and improve other health-related outcomes. In particular, attention will be given to mediator agents, such as musical expression and interaction in the sessions, as well as to the explanatory potential of EEG recordings in investigating emotion related music perception of individuals w…
Improvisaatiopohjainen yksilömusiikkiterapia masennuksen hoidossa : kontrolloitu, satunnainen tutkimus
Masennus on yleinen sairaus, joka vaikuttaa ihmisen elämään laaja-alaisesti, heikentäen muun muassa yksilön sosiaalisia taitoja ja vaikeuttaen kykyä tunnistaa ja ilmaista tunteita. Masennukseen liitetään myös vaikeudet ilmaista ja säädellä negatiivisia tunteita kuten vihaa. Tässä tutkimuksessa selvitettiin kliiniseen improvisaatioon perustuvan lyhytkestoisen musiikkiterapia-intervention lisäarvoa Käypä hoidon mukaiseen masennuksen hoitoon (engl. standard care, jatkossa Se) lisättynä verrattuna pelkkään se hoitoon. Psykiatriset arviot toteutettiin sekä koe- että kontrolliryhmille lähtötilanteessa ennen satunnaistamista, sekä kolmen kuukauden (musiikkiterapiaintervention jälkeen) ja kuuden ku…
The effect of improvisational music therapy on the treatment of depression: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Background. Music therapy is frequently offered to individuals suffering from depression. Despite the lack of research into the effects of music therapy on this population, anecdotal evidence suggests that the results are rather promising. The aim of this study is to examine whether improvisational, psychodynamically orientated music therapy in an individual setting helps reduce symptoms of depression and improve other health-related outcomes. In particular, attention will be given to mediator agents, such as musical expression and interaction in the sessions, as well as to the explanatory potential of EEG recordings in investigating emotion related music perception of individuals with depr…