The effect of music therapy applied to hospitalized individuals with chronic diseases on hospital anxiety, depression and comfort level

This study was conducted to determine the effects of music therapy applied to hospitalized chronically ill individuals on hospital anxiety, depression and comfort levels. This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with 58 individuals who were admitted to the Merzifon Kara Mustafa Paşa State Hospital Urology Department on behalf of an internal medicine specialist between September 2024 and February 2025, who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Individuals in the music therapy group received 30 minutes of music therapy as a single session per day for 4 days. Individuals in the control group received their routine treatment and care, and no additional intervention was applied to these individuals. Pre-test data were collected on the 1st day/first interview, and post-test data were collected on the 5th day. The research data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and General Comfort Scale Short Form. Chi-square analysis, dependent sample t-test and independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used in the evaluation of the data. There were no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics between individuals in the music therapy and control groups. No significant difference was found between the mean scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short Form of the General Comfort Scale in the pretest of either group (p > 0,05). In the posttest, individuals in the music therapy group had significantly higher mean scores on the Short Form of the General Comfort Scale (p < 0,001), but no significant difference was found between their mean scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p > 0,05). On the other hand, the difference between the pretest and posttest mean scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in the music therapy group was significant, and the mean scale score was lower in the posttest (p < 0,01). As a result, it was determined that music therapy applied to hospitalized individuals with chronic diseases increased the comfort level of the individuals and was partially effective in reducing hospital anxiety and depression. It is recommended that nurses use music therapy to reduce anxiety and depression and increase comfort levels of hospitalized individuals with chronic diseases.