Oct 23, 2014 10:18 AM EDT By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Music therapy reduces depression in children and adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems, according to a recent study.

Researchers at Queen's University and the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust found that children who received music therapy had significantly improved self-esteem and significantly reduced depression compared with those who received treatment without music therapy. They also found that those who received music therapy had improved communicative and interactive skills, compared to those who received usual care options alone.

"This study is hugely significant in terms of determining effective treatments for children and young people with behavioral problems and mental health needs," Sam Porter, who led the study, said in a statement.

For the study, which took place between March 2011 and May 2014, researchers collected and analyzed data from 251 children and young people. They were divided into two groups -- 128 underwent the usual care options, while 123 were assigned to music therapy in addition to usual care. All were being treated for emotional, developmental or behavioral problems. Early findings suggest that the benefits are sustained in the long term.

Music therapy has often been used with children and young people with particular mental health needs, but this is the first time its effectiveness has been shown by a definitive randomized controlled trial in a clinical setting, according to Ciara Reilly, chief executive of Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust.

"The findings are dramatic and underscore the need for music therapy to be made available as a mainstream treatment option," Reilly added. "For a long time we have relied on anecdotal evidence and small-scale research findings about how well music therapy works. Now we have robust clinical evidence to show its beneficial effects."

The research team will now look at the data to establish how cost-effective music therapy is in relation to other treatments.

The findings were presented at a conference in Riddel Hall at Queen's University Belfast today. 

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