open access publication

Article, 2021

Music, sleep, and depression: An interview study

Psychology of Music, ISSN 0305-7356, 1741-3087, Volume 50, 3, Pages 830-848, 10.1177/03057356211024350

Contributors

Lund, Helle Nystrup 0000-0001-7358-3030 (Corresponding author) [1] Hannibal, Niels Jørgensen 0000-0002-4865-4375 [1] [2] Mainz, Jan Nørholm 0000-0003-0242-9233 [1] [2] Macdonald, Raymond [3] Pedersen, Inge Nygaard 0000-0002-6403-6622 [1] [2]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Aalborg University Hospital
    2. [NORA names: North Denmark Region; Hospital; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  2. [2] Aalborg University
    3. [NORA names: AAU Aalborg University; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  3. [3] University of Edinburgh
    4. [NORA names: United Kingdom; Europe, Non-EU; OECD]

Abstract

Music has been suggested as a potential sleep aid option in the treatment of depression-related insomnia; however, research is needed to fully understand the possible benefits. In this study, the objective was to examine experiences of music listening using a new intervention, The MusicStar app, at bedtime for adult psychiatric outpatients with depression-related insomnia. The study design utilized a qualitative thematic analysis using phenomenological methods applied as microanalysis of interview data. Participants were recruited from an outpatient unit for depression in psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. Four adults with depression and sleep disturbances took part in a semi-structured interview after completing a four-week music intervention as part of a clinical trial. The participants evaluated a music listening intervention for sleep improvement. The following six themes were highlighted: Sleep and relaxation, Distraction, Mood, Habits, Preference, and Technology. Three participants reported intervention effective in improving sleep and relaxation. Interactions with technology and music preferences were important. The findings suggest influences of music on relaxation and sleep in depression-related insomnia with examples; Music distracts from inner stimuli, affects mood, arousal, and supports healthy habits potentially improving sleep hygiene. In conclusion, this study improves our understanding of the multiple effects of music in depression insomnia including limitations and directions for future research.

Keywords

Aalborg, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark, University Hospital, adult psychiatric outpatients, adults, analysis, apps, arousal, bedtime, benefits, clinical trials, data, depression, depression insomnia, depression-related insomnia, design, direction, distraction, disturbances, effects of music, examples, experiences of music listening, experiments, findings, habits, healthy habits, hospital, hygiene, improve sleep, improvement, improving sleep hygiene, influence, influence of music, inner stimulus, insomnia, interaction, intervention, interview data, interviews, limitations, listeners, listening intervention, method, microanalysis, mood, multiple effects, music, music intervention, music listening, music listening intervention, music preferences, objective, options, outpatient unit, outpatients, participants, phenomenological method, preferences, psychiatric outpatients, psychiatry, qualitative thematic analysis, relaxation, research, semi-structured interviews, sleep, sleep disturbance, sleep hygiene, sleep improvement, stimuli, study, study design, technology, thematic analysis, themes, treatment, trials, units

Funders

  • Obel Family Foundation
  • Aalborg University Hospital
  • Aase og Ejnar Danielsens Fond

Data Provider: Digital Science

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