Objective: To find the influences of active group music therapy approach and compare them with standard treatment outcomes.

Materials and Methods: Prospective randomized control trial was conducted on two treatment groups (n = 8 for active group music, n = 11 for control group) for seven-week. Depression-related parameters consisted of Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] Thai version, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-Thai version [Thai-PSQI], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Thai version [Thai-HADS], Thai-Perceived Stress Scale-10 [T-PSS-10], Rosenberg self-esteem Thai version, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life [WHOQOL] Thai version were collected before and after both treatments.

Results: Active group music had statistically significant improvement of better depressive rating scale, sleep quality, perceived stress scale, and quality of life (p = 0.001, 0.010, 0.001, and 0.008, respectively). Depression improved and there was significant difference when both treatments were compared.

Conclusion: Active music group intervention improves depression, sleeps quality, stress, and quality of life, and could decrease impact of daily-life stress and lower severity of depressive symptoms.

Keywords: Group music therapy, Group psychotherapy, Depression, Sleep quality, Thai-MADRS, Thai-PSQI, Thai-HADS, T-PSS-10, Thai- WHOQOL, Thai-Rosenberg self-esteem