MUSIC − VIABLE THERAPY IN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION?

Anxiety and depressive disorders represent major challenges for global public health and healthcare systems. In this context, the use of music as a non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention has attracted increasing attention because of its low cost, safety, and non-invasive nature. This article analyzes the effectiveness of musical interventions, including both music medicine and music therapy, in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression while examining the physiological mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects. The paper synthesizes recent literature, focusing on clinical studies that evaluate both objective indicators, such as heart rate variability, cortisol levels, and brain activity, and subjective measures of psychological well-being. The available evidence indicates that regular exposure to music, particularly music tailored to individual preferences, improves emotional regulation, enhances immune responses, and significantly reduces physiological stress. These benefits have been consistently demonstrated across diverse populations, including older adults, adolescents, and patients with cancer. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) represents an emerging approach for personalizing music-based interventions according to individual physiological and psychological profiles. Overall, current evidence supports music as an effective complementary clinical tool that promotes emotional stability, facilitates neuroplasticity, and enhances mental health. Incorporating music-based interventions into standard medical care may optimize recovery, improve patients’ quality of life, and provide a safe, cost-effective adjunct to conventional therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: music therapy, anxiety, depression, neuroplasticity, mental health, artificial intelligence.