Among patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Depression is a mental illness that commonly presents with; reduced concentration, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt and self-judgment, disturbance in sleep pattern and loss of appetite. Patients with suicidal thoughts have a severe form, require urgent medical treatment. Other symptoms are somatic and cognitive changes that interfere with the individual’s capacity to operate optimally. Significantly the disorder contributes to more than 60% of all the suicide cases globally (Aalbers et al., 2017). Factors associated with the illness include; traumatic experiences, genetic predispositions, chronic illness, substance abuse and personality traits such as low self-esteem. Sampling Strategy in Nursing Education.

Globally, depression accounts for 3.44 %( 264 million) of mentally ill patients, Bueno-Notivol et al., (2020). Within this population, close to 800,000 youths aged between15-29 commit suicide annually.  The condition affects people of all ages; however, it affects women than men. According to Bueno-Notivol et al. (2020), 8% of women have depression than 4% of the male population. Sampling Strategy in Nursing Education.

Music therapy significantly improves the patient’s social well-being when used together with other treatment plans. Music helps by managing some of the symptoms of diseases like anxiety. As such, patients on music therapy can improve their social and psychological well-being when on psycho and pharmacotherapy (Aalbers et al., 2017).Sampling Strategy in Nursing Education. Music ignites acetylcholine production, endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine. Endorphins are responsible for life energy, motivation, joy, self-appreciation and optimism. It helps in decreasing pain sensation and promotes feeling a self-satisfaction (Santos et al., 2019). As such, the patient experiences emotional self-regulation, which is significant in reducing anxiety and depression.Sampling Strategy in Nursing Education.

Additionally, listening to familiar songs improves concentration, social interaction, elevate emotions and recover memories.  Incorporation of audio-visual songs that involved singing and dancing improved the symptomatic management of patients with depression (Yang et al., 2019). Among women diagnosed with post-partum depression, music therapy improved maternal attachment by improving their insight.Sampling Strategy in Nursing Education.

The use of pharmacotherapy in managing depression is successful with other additional therapies such as psychotherapy and music therapy. According to Cuijpers et al. (2020), the use of combined therapy is highly effective in managing depression. Music therapy promotes mood elation and reduces the anxiety that is common among patients diagnosed with depression. Music therapy with pharmacotherapy improves patient well-being by enhancing psychological and cognitive stability.

Response to antidepressants varies from one patient to another, as some may have adverse reactions to the drugs. Some patients may experience suicidal thoughts when taking medications. Additionally, pharmacotherapy alone does not encourage a socially withdrawn patient’s social participation (Aalbers et al., 2017). It may not also improve the behavioural change that is desired for people with major depressive disorder. However, it promotes the balances of neurotransmitters in the brain; such balance requires an additional effort that improves patient self-regulation of these neurotransmitters. Aalbers et al. (2017). Music therapy is significant in enhancing process by signalling a process that releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins are responsible for emotional self-regulation in the body and improve the patient’s cognitive and social well-being. Sampling Strategy in Nursing Education.

The management of depression is focused on promoting the behavioral activities, cognitive functions and stabilizing the mood of the patient. However, mood disorders, particularly depression, are usually costly and affect the quality of life adversely. It is also associated with evident morbidity and mortality (Cuijpers