Background: Music has a great influence on human spirit. Music therapy is one of the most useful ways to boostpeople's mood, especially in depressed patients. The aim of this research was study the effect of music therapy on depression and happiness of depressed women. Methods: It was a semi experimental study with pretest, posttest, follow up and control group. The sample included the depressed women who referred to the consultation and psychotherapy center managed by the researcher. The subjects were matched from age, educational status, acquiring one standard deviation below the mean in depression, happiness and other criteria considered in this research. Thirty patients were randomly selected according to the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in 12 sessions of music therapy including playing a music instrument, singing, rhythmic movements, and listening to music, but the control group did not receive any intervention. The instruments were Back’s Depression instrument (BDI), and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Data were collected by Beck’s Depression Instrument (BDI) and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by using SPSS-21 using MANOVA and ANCOVA tests. Results: The results showed a significant difference between experimental and control group in depression and happiness (P < 0.001). The rate of depression score significantly decreased in experimental group in comparison with pre- test and control group. Also, the score of happiness significantly increased in experimental group. These results significantly persisted after 2 months fallow up period (P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results emphasize the possible important of music therapy on depression and happiness in depressed women.

Music Therapy, Depression, Happiness, Women