Evaluating the potential of group music therapy for reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress in emergency service personnel: A pilot programme

Military, firefighter, paramedic and law enforcement professions are all associated with a higher risk of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder development. In 2019, Police Care UK reported that one in five police officers were living with post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorders triggered by exposure to one or more traumatic events. The effective use of music therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and trauma-related stress among ex-military personnel in the United States has been well documented. Despite the similarities and high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms between military and emergency service personnel, music therapy has not been explored as a treatment modality for first responders. This pilot programme evaluated group music therapy for emergency workers with symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data that was interpreted for pre/post-intervention shifts using convergent parallel design. The findings indicated a positive reduction in symptoms, an increased sense of well-being, and a sense of leaving therapy with specific coping strategies. Group music therapy is an intervention that warrants further exploration for Blue Light/Emergency Service personnel. Further research is required to address the programme’s limitations, to evaluate specific elements affecting treatment, and to consider sustainability.