Music to improve sleep quality in adults with depression related insomnia (MUSTAFI): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Insomnia is a common sleep disorder for adults with depression with major impact on the quality of life. Previous trials suggest that music listening may be helpful in the treatment of sleep disturbances in healthy populations including students and elderly. In addition, small studies with clinical populations of traumatized refugees, adults with chronic insomnia and adults with depression insomnia add to the evidence base. However, the impact of music listening in the treatment of depression related insomnia is not well documented. Objective To examine the efficacy of music listening on sleep quality, symptoms of depression and quality of life in adults with depression related insomnia. Method A single center randomized controlled trial (RCT) in a two arm parallel group design is conducted and reported according to the Consort guidelines. The trial consists of an experimental group and a standard care control group. Both groups receive standard treatment for depression following Danish guidelines in an outpatient unit in psychiatry. The experimental group listen to music minimum 30 minutes at bedtime in four weeks. Discussion This study will provide information on the efficacy of music intervention as a non-pharmacological intervention in the treatment of depression related insomnia. This study will provide novel knowledge concerning music medicine as an evidence based treatment of depression in psychiatry. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. ID NCT03676491, registered on 19th of September 2018. Keywords: Music, insomnia, depression, sleep