Effect of Music Listening on Psychotic Symptoms, Attention and Social Skills among Patients with Schizophrenia

Abdel-Hamid Hammad, Heba; Abed El Mageed, Sanaa Habashy; Ramadan, Fatma Hussein; Samy Mostafa, Heba Mohamed

doi:10.21608/asalexu.2023.318213

Effect of Music Listening on Psychotic Symptoms, Attention and Social Skills among Patients with Schizophrenia

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

¹ Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhur University

² Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

³ Piano, Faculty of Specific Education, Alexandria University

10.21608/asalexu.2023.318213

Abstract

Background: Psychotic symptoms, attention deficits, and poor social skills are key features of schizophrenia and the most incapacitating aspects of functioning. Music is a widely utilized form of complementary therapy and has been used for various psychotic disorders to improve the individual emotions, cognitive, behaviors and communication, but its role for schizophrenia still inconclusive. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of music listening on psychotic symptoms, attention and social skills among patients with schizophrenia. Setting: The study was conducted in the inpatient wards at EL-Maamoura Hospital for Psychiatric Medicine. Subjects the study subjects comprised 60 inpatients with schizophrenia. Tools: Socio-Demographic and Clinical Data Structured interview Schedule, The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS- version 4.0), Attention questionnaire scale, Social skills assessment screening scale (SSASS), and The Nurses’ Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE) were used as tools for data collection. Results: Findings of the present study revealed that there was a statistically significant decrease in the total mean scores of psychotic symptoms among the study group after intervention (p=<0.001). In addition, the study group had a significantly increased level of attention and social skills compared to the control group (p=<0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of the present study support the hypothesis that patients with schizophrenia who listen to music exhibit lower psychotic symptoms and their attention and social skills improved comparing with those who follow the traditional hospital routine care. Recommendations: Psychiatric hospitals may consider added music therapy to the standard care of patients with schizophrenia. Future studies are needed to determine the sustainability of the effect of group music listening on patients' mental health and their ability to return to the community.

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