Receptive music therapy for hospitalized adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A mixed-methods pilot study

Treating anorexia nervosa (AN) remains challenging, especially in the acute phase requiring hospitalization. This pilot study assessed the effectiveness of live music intervention (LMI) in reducing anxiety and body dysmorphia during stressful weighing sessions in hospitalized adolescent girls with AN ( n = 8). The study was a naturalistic pilot study non-randomized with sequential crossover, as it was conducted within the framework of standard care. Using the innovative group receptive live music listening intervention technique, DéPi-AM (an instrumental psychomusical relaxation intervention), 8 participants underwent a 16-week period: 8 LMI sessions (experimental condition) compared with standard treatment (8 control sessions). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected at various moments between 2020 and 2021. Results showed that LMI significantly reduced perceived anxiety, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate compared with control conditions. Weighing periods significantly increased psychophysiological indexes (e.g. systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate) compared with emotionally neutral days. Also, in all conditions, we find no significant results regarding the increase or reduction of dysmorphophobia. Preliminary qualitative data indicated more negative emotions in the absence of LMI and increased positive thoughts and relaxation during LMI sessions. While the findings suggest music therapy’s potential as a complementary therapy for anxiety reduction in hospitalized patients, such as the DéPi-AM (receptive music therapy protocol that is the subject of this study), methodological limitations highlight the need for future studies combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to refine its application and impact.