Using Music to Manage Anxiety: A Mixed Methods Intervention Study Between Two Lockdowns

Lockdowns were a central strategy for managing the outbreak of COVID-19, and Melbourne, Australia had some most extensive restrictions globally during 2021. As result, university students faced with isolated living challenging learning experiences. This pilot study occurred 2021, close to both assignment due dates end semester examinations longest lockdowns. Seventy-one participants responded recruitment materials describing using music playlists manage anxiety avoid negative thinking patterns stressful times. They then participated in 1-hour live, virtual workshop incorporating didactic teaching practice activities. Pre post measures musical engagement, wellbeing used, additional qualitative data collected at regarding workshop, application ideas, quantitative measuring uses emotion regulation. Analysis did not reveal significant findings, but convergent analysis suggested linking degree changed regulation individuals. Participants described more intentional informed that less repetitive targeted. was particularly apparent when rumination appeared be prominent. Based on results, intervention seems helpful as psycho-educational tool, result measurable changes highly anxious participants.