Also known as: music therapy, active music making, music listening, music
Latest evidence update: 2026-10-04
Strongest in Consistency (92). Held back by Study quality (72).
Solid mix of RCTs with some methodological gaps.
Confirmed across many independent studies with significant findings.
Tens of thousands of participants pooled across studies.
Studies agree on direction of effect.
Most studies are recent (last 2-3 years).
Areas where research points to a consistent direction of effect. The strength of evidence is graded; the size of the effect is not quantified.
Music engages widespread brain networks and triggers dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Listening to preferred music reduces cortisol, anxiety, and pain perception. Playing an instrument builds cognitive reserve and may delay cognitive decline.
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Music therapy showed no significant changes in systolic blood pressure in hemodialysis patients.
Music therapy reduces pain in patients undergoing prostate biopsy compared to control groups.
Music therapy increases oxygen saturation in preterm infants, with a dose-response relationship of 1.7% increase per minute of music exposure.
Music therapy reduced depression levels in individuals with dementia compared to standard care.
Stress-reducing interventions during pregnancy reduce maternal anxiety and stress levels.