Music to decrease anxiety in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the world in a multiplicity of ways. For college students, considered emerging adults in a time of transition between adolescence and adulthood, the stressors were multiplied by severe disruptions in education, social activities, family distress, and job losses. Significant impact on mental health in college students has been reported during this period. We investigated the effect of a previously researched music experience on the anxiety levels of 36 performing arts college students. Results showed a high level of anxiety pre-intervention, but a significant decrease and normative levels at posttest. Although a small sample size warrants caution in generalization, these results show the feasibility of theoretically sound, brief music experiences to address significant distress in vulnerable populations.