Background: The benefits of non-pharmaceutical approaches to lessen the symptoms of depression have received a lot of attention due to the possible negative effects of various anti-depressant drugs on patients, especially children and adolescents. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Online Music Therapy and Online Painting Therapy on the students’ depression.
Methods: The research method was experimental with a pre-test and post-test design. 45 students were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the intervention group with Online Music Therapy and Online Painting Therapy and the control group from September 2017 to October 2018. Beck Depression Questionnaire research tool was used. The intervention groups were treated with music and painting therapy, and then the test and follow-up were carried out. Painting therapy was performed by using painting tasks. Music therapy sessions were performed simultaneously with painting therapy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 23. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: In painting therapy, the mean±SD in the pre- and posttest for depression were 25.05±6.24 and 17.80±9.48, respectively; in music therapy, they were 22.95±4.67 and 18.55±5.36, respectively. Online music therapy and painting therapy were effective on depression in students(P=0.03). However, there was no significant difference in the stability of the effectiveness between music therapy and painting therapy.
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that online group music therapy and painting therapy can effectively reduce depression and improve the mental health.