The effect of the Tomatis method on depressed young adults

Abstract

In the current study the efficacy of the Tomatis Method (TM), was investigated with depressed young adults. The TM, a non-mainstream approach applicable to, amongst other psychological problems, depression, is based on sensorineural integration training and psychotherapy. The study was motivated by the paucity of research on Tomatis's (1974) assertion that the TM is effective with cases of "nervous depression". Depressed students, meeting DSM IV criteria for non-bipolar depression and manifesting at least moderate levels of depression on the BDI, were assigned to an experimental (n=9) and non-intervention control group (n=9) on availability grounds. Following pre-assessment the experimental group attended a Tomatis programme of 73 sessions and individual psychotherapy. The results confirmed the efficacy of the programme, in terms of practically significant reductions of depression, neuroticism and negative affect, and enhanced psychological well-being. No change occurred in the control group. While the results endorsed Tomatis's findings, methodological limitations necessitate further research, controlled for medication, psychotherapy and social support, to clarify remaining obscurities.