The Effect of Music Therapy on Sleep Quality and Depression in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Study

According to WHO, the menopausal period is not a pathological process, but is expressed as one of the biological stages of a woman's life. The menopausal period is defined as the transition to old age, which begins with regression in ovarian functions and decreased reproductive capacity, and in time, reproductive ability ends.

Approximately one-third of women experience no symptoms or mild symptoms during the menopausal period, while the other third experience moderate symptoms, while the remaining one-third may experience severe symptoms. The symptomatology experienced in this period is characterized by a hypoestrogenic state that occurs due to regression in ovarian function in 60% to 80% of women . In addition to symptoms such as insomnia, vaginal dryness, irregular menstrual bleeding, depressed mood, irritability, headache, forgetfulness, and dizziness, vasomotor symptoms such as changes in body thermoregulation and night sweats can be observed in menopausal women as a result of insufficient secretion of sex hormones.

Sleep problems are defined as one of the important problems seen in menopausal women It is stated that hot flashes and especially night sweats seen in the menopausal period may cause sleep disorders with the slowdown in serotonin metabolism due to hypoestrogen. While sleep problems can negatively affect mood and activities of daily living in women, it has been reported that they have a wide-ranging negative impact on quality of life, mood, productivity and physical health, especially in women with severe sleep problems. It is stated that sleep disorders do not only affect the quality of life in women in the menopausal period, but may cause social burdens by jeopardizing their lives and health in the long run.

It is stated that depression affects approximately 350 million people worldwide and is a global burden. It is stated that depression is seen twice as often in women as in men, and that the risk of depression may increase during periods when women experience hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and transition to menopause.It is stated that the menopausal period, in which hormonal changes are experienced intensively, is not associated with psychiatric diseases alone, but the risk of its occurrence increases, especially in women in the perimenopausal period, even if there is no previous history of depressive disorder.

It is stated that hormone therapy, one of the pharmacological methods, is accepted as an effective and standard method in the management of menopausal symptoms, including sleep disorders and depression, despite its side effects. However, due to the health risks associated with hormone therapy, it is stated that many women do not want to use this treatment option and turn to complementary and alternative medicine to alleviate menopausal symptoms. It is stated that physical, mental and psychological problems of women can be treated with non-pharmacological methods such as relaxation, breathing exercises, touch therapy, and music therapy as a complementary and alternative medicine approach in the world and in Turkey.