Melodic Medicine: How Classical Turkish Music Soothes Stress and Eases Loneliness

This study investigated the impact of traditional classical Turkish music as a telehealth intervention on reducing stress and loneliness among elderly individuals. Elders were randomized into two main groups according to whether they lived alone or with someone. The experimental study design and sample selection were conducted according to the CONSORT model. The final sample comprised 70 elders who were divided into two randomized groups: control group (no intervention applied, n =34), and intervention group (livestream participation, n = 36). Because there was no comparable research study with a similar research sample and intervention, the representativeness of the sample group for the population was confirmed using Type 1-2 error and confidence level, as well as power analysis data obtained after collecting follow-up data. In a prior study in which experimental power analysis was pertinent, the calculated power of the research was 88% with a post hoc 95% confidence interval and a sampling error of d = 0.05. We used G*Power 3.1.9.7 software to conduct a power analysis based on a mixed design analysis of variance test. The analysis showed that the power value was 0.89, which indicates that the sample power was 99.0%. Interactive livestream musical interventions were performed for four weeks, in total eight sessions. The data of the study were collected three times with the Perceived Stress Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale III in a pretest-posttest-follow-up test design (12th week after the posttest). Significance of difference tests, repeated variance analyses, and strength of influence tests were performed in dependent and independent groups with and without normal distribution. Interactive livestream classical Turkish music with a group effectively decreased the total scores of the Perceived Stress Scale, including perceived insufficient self-efficacy, perceived distress, and UCLA Loneliness Scale III scores, among elderly individuals who experienced physical distancing measures during the pandemic period in a short amount of time (p