Effect of music intervention on anxiety in critically ill patients, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Journal

Journal of Critical Care

Year

2025

Abstract

Music therapy has been explored as a non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety in critically ill patients, but its effectiveness remains unclear. This meta-analysis synthesized evidence from five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 325 participants. A comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases ensured the inclusion of high-quality studies published between 2010 and 2025. Music therapy sessions ranged from 15 to 30 min. Anxiety was assessed using validated measures, and data were analyzed with a random-effects model to calculate the mean difference (MD) in anxiety scores with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to address potential bias. The pooled analysis found an MD of -1.11 (95 % CI: -12.97 to 10.75, p = 0.85; I2 = 99 %), showing no significant anxiety reduction. Heterogeneity was substantial. A sensitivity analysis, excluding two influential studies, reduced heterogeneity (I2 = 30 %) but still showed no significant effect (MD = 0.69, 95 % CI: -2.15 to 3.53, p = 0.63). A funnel plot suggested possible publication bias, but the limited number of studies hindered formal assessment. Overall, current evidence does not support music therapy as an effective stand-alone intervention for anxiety reduction in critically ill patients. Further research with standardized protocols and larger sample sizes is necessary to clarify its role in critical care settings.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Anxiety; Critically Ill; Hospital Setting; Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Stress; Physiological Measures; Subjective Measures; Music Therapy; Music Medicine

Indexed Terms

Anxiety; Critical Illness; Intensive care units; Meta-analysis; Randomized controlled trials; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Study Type

Meta-Analysis; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

PMID: 40483921

Document Type

Article

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