Effect of Korean Music Therapy on Depression: Daegeum Playing of Arirang

Abstract: Recently, many studies have described the effectiveness of music therapy on depression. Arirang is a Korean music, often considered as the unofficial national anthem of Korea and has been listed on the UNESCO in 2012. Arirang has been sung for more than 600 years in Korea. It includes all of our feelings of joys and sorrows. Daegeum is a natural Korean transverse bamboo flute. However, the effects of the Daegeum playing of Arirang (DPA) on depression have not been investigated. Here, we evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of DPA. Mice were exposed to DPA once a day for 21 days in a sound isolation booth. Immobility times in the forced swimming test and distance moved in open field test were measured. DPA significantly decreased immobility times as compared with non-treated control without affecting locomotor activity. DPA increased levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and estrogen receptor-β in brains. In addition, protein and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor- in brains were significantly reduced in animals exposed to DPA. These findings indicate that DPA has positive effects on depression, and suggests that Korean music therapy be considered a potential therapeutic intervention for the treatment of depression.