10/05/2026
ISTRAŽIVANJE.
Recent research at the Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory (MaHRC) in conjunction with the Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Su***de & Depression Studies Program at St. Michael’s Hospital in the context of a broader collaborative initiative with the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression (CAN-BIND) set out to study this question as preventing su***de remains a major societal health challenge.
Individuals with attempted su***de often also show impairment in cognitive functions such as working memory, attention, and executive function. To address this, 10 adults diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and a history of suicidal ideations and attempts completed 8 individual sessions using the Neurologic Music Therapy® techniques Musical Attention Control Training (MACT)™ and Musical Executive Function Training (MEFT)®.
The results?
At post-test, the participants showed a significant reduction in suicidal ideation as measured by the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation [BSSI], with a high effect size. Depression measures did not improve, suggesting that depression and suicidal ideations may not always be directly related as often assumed.
How?
These techniques engage brain networks that overlap with regions that have been altered in individuals with suicidal ideations such as the orbitofrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the amygdala. This suggests Neurologic Music Therapy® can act as a potential neuromodulator, reducing suicidal risk. A promising find for future mental health care.
Read the full study by visiting nmtacademy.co/research-publications/
Or read the full study here:
Tan M, Friyia S, Hurt Thaut CP, Rizvi S, Thaut MH. 2025. Music based cognitive training for adults with major depressive disorder and su***de risk: a pilot study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030757.
Additional studies:
Tan M, Rizvi SJ, Hurt Thaut CP, Thaut MH. 2025. Evaluating the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire and Semantic Differential Profile Scale for adults with Major Depressive Disorder and suicidal ideation. PLOS ONE Mental Health,
doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000261
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