Effects of music medicine on premenstrual symptoms levels and quality of life: A randomized controlled trial

Premenstrual syndrome is an important health problem affecting women of reproductive age. This study aimed to show that music medicine can be used to reduce the premenstrual syndrome levels and increase the quality of life of women. A prospective, single-blinded randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted between January and April 2021 on 97 college students. The participants consisted of women over 20 years of age and suffering from premenstrual syndrome. The participants were randomized into music and control groups. Immediately post-intervention, the women in the experimental groups had significantly higher reduced premenstrual syndrome levels and an improved quality of life. Music and control groups were evaluated with The Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) and the short form of the Short of World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL‐BREF). Comparing these two groups, music significantly reduced the premenstrual syndrome level after application (PMSS-1123.23 ± 32.06 vs. 105.90 ± 27.55, respectively, PMSS-2 94.21 ± 28.42 vs. 119.44 ± 27.29, respectively, p < .05). Comparing the music medicine and control groups had significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF scores (Physical, psychological, and environmental) after the application (13.71 vs. 13.14; 14.33 vs. 15.44 vs.14.66, respectively, p < .05). Premenstrual symptoms were significantly reduced in the music medicine group than the control group. Additionally, music medicine improves the quality of life.