Effects of group music therapy on quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms in older adults living in the community: A pre-post with follow-up study

Introduction The prevalence of mental health problems increases with age, potentially reducing quality of life (QoL) in older adults. This study explores whether group music therapy (GMT) influences QoL, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults.Methods We conducted a single-group pre–post with follow-up study. The GMT intervention lasted 12 weeks, with weekly 60-minute sessions. Outcomes were assessed using the brief Older People’s Quality of Life questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory pre, post, and three months following the intervention.Results Fifty-seven older adults (mean age 72.4 years, SD = 6.5) participated. Pre-intervention mean levels of anxiety and depression corresponded to the mild range, based on the cut-off scores of the assessment instruments. There was a significant improvement in both measures from pre- to post-GMT (p < .001): anxiety decreased by 1.8 points (Cohen’s d = 0.33) and depression by 1.1 points (Cohen’s d = 0.35). These improvements persisted in the follow-up assessment, with mean anxiety reduced by 3.7 points and depression by 1.3 points compared to pre-GMT (p < .001). No significant improvement in QoL was observed at post-GMT. However, QoL showed a significant increase between pre-GMT and follow-up assessment, with a mean score change of +2.4 points (p < .001).Discussion GMT appears to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in older adults, with effects sustained over time. While immediate improvements in QoL were not observed, long-term gains suggest GMT may be a beneficial psychosocial intervention for promoting mental well-being in later life.