THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC THERAPY ON PSYCHOLOGY OF PTSD PATIENTS

Purpose

This study examines how music therapy affects the psychological well-being of individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), focusing on three distinct therapeutic mechanisms: rhythmic entrainment, active music-making, and personalized playlists combined with receptive music therapy. By investigating these components, the study seeks to clarify how structured musical interventions can promote emotional regulation, social connection, and trauma processing. Moreover, it explores how personalized and participatory musical experiences enhance the efficacy of PTSD treatment, offering strategic implications for mental health professionals and policymakers seeking to implement non-pharmacological interventions for trauma recovery.

Design/Methodology/Approach

The authors employ a quantitative research design and use a structured survey distributed both in-person and online to 385 participants across three key PTSD populations: military veterans, trauma survivors, and clinical patients. Responses were collected using a 5-point Likert scale to measure the psychological impact of music therapy interventions. Analytical tools include SPSS software for descriptive analysis, Cronbach’s alpha for reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for identifying underlying constructs, and linear regression analysis to validate the study’s hypotheses. The SPSS Process Macro was also applied to examine moderating effects, enhancing the depth of insight into the relationships between therapeutic variables and psychological outcomes.

Findings

The results affirm all three hypotheses with strong standardized coefficients: rhythmic entrainment (0.743), active music-making (0.714), and personalized playlists with receptive music therapy (0.723). Rhythmic entrainment emerged as a foundational technique that regulates autonomic responses and fosters emotional stability. Active music-making demonstrated significant value in facilitating emotional expression and rebuilding social bonds. Personalized playlists and receptive music therapy were also highly effective, particularly when combined with therapist oversight, in fostering safety and reducing symptoms of anxiety and hyperarousal.

Originality/Value

This research provides a novel, integrative perspective on the use of music therapy for PTSD treatment by evaluating both participatory and passive modalities. By grounding its analysis in neurological and psychological frameworks, the study offers practical and actionable insights into how music-based interventions can be optimized for trauma recovery. It contributes to the academic literature by empirically validating the therapeutic mechanisms of music and advances clinical practice by proposing strategic pathways for incorporating music therapy into holistic PTSD treatment plans.