Jue Tone Music Therapy for Post-stroke Depression in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To evaluate the effects of Jue tone music therapy on depressive symptoms, sleep quality, activities of daily living, and selected serum biomarkers in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). Methods In this randomized controlled trial, patients with PSD were randomly assigned to a control group or an intervention group. The control group received usual care, including sertraline hydrochloride and comprehensive rehabilitation training. The intervention group received additional Jue tone music therapy based on Five Element Music Therapy for 6 weeks. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24) and the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D). Sleep quality and activities of daily living were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Barthel Index (BI). Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were measured before and after the intervention. Results A total of 91 patients completed the study (control group, n = 46; intervention group, n = 45). After 6 weeks, the intervention group showed significantly lower HAMD-24, HADS-D, and PSQI scores and higher BI scores compared with the control group (all P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 levels were significantly reduced, while BDNF and 5-HT levels were significantly increased in the intervention group (all P < 0.05). No significant differences in adverse events were observed between groups. Conclusion Jue tone music therapy is a safe and effective adjunct to usual care, improving depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and functional outcomes in patients with PSD.