Mending the Mind with Music: Physiological and Behavioural Exploration of Drops in Depression

Music effectively alters emotions. Specifically, Drops (sudden deviations in music features, such as frequency, tempo and rhythm) influence prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity, emotions, working memory (WM) and depression. This novel research predicts; (1) repeated Drop apprehension over a two-week intervention would alter PFC activity, evoking positive emotions and emotional regulation to improve depression; (2) regular Drop listening would improve WM via PFC activity and decreased depression; (3) reduced depression and improved WM would remain one week after the intervention. Participants (N=19) screening for mild to severe depression, as measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), completed a two-week intervention of daily 30-minute music listening in Experimental (with Drops) or Control (without Drops) conditions. Participants also attended Pre-, Post-, and Follow-up laboratory sessions. In Pre- and Post-sessions continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded brain activity during 20-second Drop clips, excitement ratings, and a WM task. The Follow-up session assessed longitudinal behavioural alterations in depression and WM one week after the intervention. Results demonstrated greater improved depression and positive emotion in the Experimental condition, but unchanging WM scores. Also, brain activity altered in several regions, including STG, SMG, IFG, ITG, PC, and, AG, but not the PFC as predicted. However, active areas are related to music processing, music-emotions, and depression. Thus, Drops have valuable potential as an intervention for emotional disorders including depression, but exact influences and limitations need further exploration.