Using QEEG parameters (asymmetry, coherence, and P3a novelty response) to track improvement in depression after choir therapy

This pilot study reports the findings from a sub-group of nine patients, from a cohort of 32 middle-aged ambulant depressive patients undergoing an intensive 8-week choral singing programme, who received 'before' and 'after' quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) (resting state and the WinEEG VCPT ERP protocol). 'Before' and 'after' mental state examinations and Beck Depressive Inventory showed significant improvement (p < 0.001). Group spectral analysis of resting QEEG showed greater L/R hemispheric symmetry of activity, reduction of right polar pre-frontal hyper activity, and reduction of hypercoherence (all reported depressive parameters). Event related potentials results revealed that an initially heightened P3a novelty cingulate gyrus response reduced significantly over the course of treatment (p < 0.05).