Objective
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the efficacy of music
therapy (MT) on pain and anxiety in children undergoing clinical procedures.
Methods
We searched 16 electronic databases of published and unpublished studies, subject
bibliographies, reference lists of relevant articles, and trials registries. Two reviewers
independently screened 4559 citations and reviewed the full manuscript of 393 studies.
Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trial, children
aged 1 month to 18 years were examined, music was used as an intervention, and the
study measured pain or anxiety. Music therapy was considered active if a music therapist
was involved and music was used as a medium for interactive communication. Passive
music therapy was defined as listening to music without the involvement of a music
therapist.
Results
The 19 included trials involved 1513 subjects. The methodological quality of the studies
was generally poor. Overall, MT showed a significant reduction in pain and anxiety
(standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.55 to
−0.14; 9 studies; N = 704; I2 = 42%). When analyzed by outcome, MT significantly reduced anxiety (SMD −0.39; 95%
CI, −0.76 to −0.03; 5 studies; n = 284; I2 = 52.4%) and pain (SMD −0.39; 95% CI, −0.66 to −0.11; 5 studies; N = 465; I2 = 49.7%). There was no evidence of publication bias.
Conclusions
Music is effective in reducing anxiety and pain in children undergoing medical and
dental procedures. Music can be considered an adjunctive therapy in clinical situations
that produce pain or anxiety.
key Words
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
December 10,
2007
Received:
August 10,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Ambulatory Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
