The effect of musical activities on executive function in patients with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness which is associated with movement disorders and executive dysfunction. Some type of executive impairments could be treated by training. This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the effect of musical activities on the executive function of patients with schizophrenia. In this Clinical trial 56 patients who were members of Iranian Association of Patients with Schizophrenia، randomly divided into two groups. In intervention group 30 patients and in control group 26 patients were allocated randomly. The intervention group took part in 24 music therapy sessions. Scores were gathered using STROOP، Tower of London، Wisconsin Card Sorting and Purede Peg Board in the pretest and posttest stages. There was no significant difference between groups in Stroop (P>0. 05)، however after course، scores has increased in intervention group. Tower of London results were not significantly different (P>0. 05)، although intervention group showed less speed but more points. The results of Purede Peg Board were not significantly different (P>0. 05). In Wisconsin Card Sorting Test، intervention group had better function (P<0. 05). Music can enhance executive function scores، but factors like larger sample size and follow up periods should be considered.