Immediate quantitative effects of recreational music therapy on mood and perceived helpfulness in acute psychiatric inpatients: An exploratory investigation

• Participants (N = 41) were acute psychiatric inpatients.
• The researchers compared pre- and posttest mood measures utilizing 10 different recreational music therapy interventions.
• Results indicated positive and significant changes in four mood factors after a single recreational music therapy session.
• There were no significant between-intervention differences.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the immediate quantitative effects of single recreational music therapy interventions on mood utilizing a pre- posttest research design. Participants (N = 41) were acute psychiatric inpatients. Using the Quick Mood Scale (Woodruffe-Peacock, Turnbull, Johnson, Elahi, & Preston, 1998), the researchers compared pre- and posttest measures in participants’ moods with 10 different recreational music therapy interventions. Results indicated positive and significant immediate changes in four mood factors after a single recreational music therapy session: (a) wide awake/drowsy, (b) relaxed/anxious, (c) cheerful/depressed, and (d) friendly/aggressive. There were no significant between-intervention differences concerning mood or posttest measures of perceived helpfulness and enjoyment. From the results of this study, it seems that recreational music therapy interventions can have an immediate positive impact on acute psychiatric inpatients’ moods but the specific type of recreational music therapy intervention utilized does not affect outcome. Limitations, suggestions for future research, and implications for clinical practice are provided.