Mindfulness-based music therapy for mental health in senior college students: a randomized controlled trial
Long Wang, Xiaoyan Zhang, Lei Pan, Ruibin Guo
Frontiers in Psychology October 29, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1649395 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 200 |
| Population | Senior college students |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based music therapy |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mental health Randomized controlled trial Music therapy Curriculum Resilience materials science Sleep quality Quality philosophy Psychological resilience Sleep system call Physical therapy Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based music therapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and improved sleep quality and resilience in senior college students compared to a control group. |
Abstract
Background: Senior college students face a heightened risk of mental health problems, indicating the need for effective interventions. Mindfulness-based music therapy (MBMT) has been shown to improve mental health outcomes across various populations, yet evidence of its effectiveness in senior college students remains scarce. This randomized controlled trial aimed to test the efficacy of MBMT in improving mental health among senior college students.
Methods: = 200). The intervention group received six weekly 40-min MBMT sessions, along with assigned homework, over 6 weeks. The primary outcomes included depression and anxiety, while the secondary outcomes included obsessive-compulsive symptoms, sleep quality, and resilience, which were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Results: A total of 181 students (adherence rate: 90.50%) in the intervention group and 197 students (adherence rate: 98.50%) in the control group completed the intervention and pre- and post-assessments. At baseline, the MBMT group and the control group showed no significant differences in sample characteristics and mental health indicators. Following the intervention, all mental health indicators in the MBMT group improved significantly and remained stable in the control group. The MBMT group demonstrated significantly lower levels of depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, as well as higher levels of sleep quality and resilience, compared to the control group post-intervention.
Conclusion: MBMT is effective in decreasing depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and improving sleep quality and resilience among senior college students. Our findings suggest that MBMT may be incorporated into the curriculum for senior college students to enhance their mental health and general well-being.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Great Expectations: recommendations for improving the methodological rigor of psychedelic clinical trials Psychopharmacology April 1, 2022
- Mindfulness-based therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for people with anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of random controlled trials Annals of Palliative Medicine July 1, 2021
- Integrative perspectives on mindfulness, music and music therapy: A literature review Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy August 19, 2021
- Clinical effectiveness of mindfulness-based music therapy on improving emotional regulation in blind older women: A randomized controlled trial. Integrative Medicine Research December 1, 2023
and 6 more in the library