Effects of Music on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Potential Application in Serious Video Games: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a considerable impact on an individual’s daily life. Some difficulties with timing deficits may be associated with deficiencies in attention, reading, language skills, or executive function. Music therapy, either active (playing an instrument) or passive (listening to music) has demonstrated its efficacy in reducing symptomatology in many disorders. Video games may prove to be a useful assessment and treatment tool in compensating for the difficulties with multimodal treatment in ADHD. Objective The aim of the study is to (1) analyze the evidence that music is beneficial in reducing the symptomatology of ADHD using systematic review and (2) propose the application of music in video games following music therapy strategies. Methods Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, and gray literature (Google Scholar and WorldCat). We used the following search syntax: ((music[Title/Abstract]) or (music therapy[Title/Abstract])) and (attention deficit disorder[MeSH or thesaurus term]). Results Of the 70 records identified, 17 provided findings that music can be beneficial in various domains of ADHD. Active music therapy improves hemispheric synchrony, social skills, aggressivity, and impulsivity. Passive music therapy improves academic skills like arithmetic, drawing, and reading comprehension, as well as attention and disruptive behaviors. The effects depend on the music genre, tempo, or task difficulty. Music in video games was generally found to be beneficial for people with ADHD. Music improves immersion and flow while playing video games. Using rhythm may also improve timing skills and immersion in patients with ADHD. Regarding the proposed application of aspects of music to therapeutic video games for ADHD, some paradigms in timing and music therapy were considered in the proposed design of video games. Conclusions Improving ADHD treatment through the application of music in video games is proposed. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42021288226; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=288226

Group‐based instrumental musical training to enhance resilience among school‐aged children from low‐income families: A pilot randomised waitlist controlled trial

“…Overall, the results suggested that the intervention effectively enhanced the resilience and improved the depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, and QoL of children from low‐income families. The findings are in line with the results of previous studies on the effects of music‐based interventions in terms of improving psychological outcomes (da Silva Santa et al., 2021 ; Martin‐Moratinos et al., 2023 ; Mayer‐Benarous et al., 2021 ). Previous music‐based interventions are mainly active or passive music therapy focusing on music listening or improvisation (da Silva Santa et al., 2021 ; Martin‐Moratinos et al., 2023 ) but not instrumental musical training.…”

“…The findings are in line with the results of previous studies on the effects of music‐based interventions in terms of improving psychological outcomes (da Silva Santa et al., 2021 ; Martin‐Moratinos et al., 2023 ; Mayer‐Benarous et al., 2021 ). Previous music‐based interventions are mainly active or passive music therapy focusing on music listening or improvisation (da Silva Santa et al., 2021 ; Martin‐Moratinos et al., 2023 ) but not instrumental musical training. This is the first study using the group‐based instrumental musical training approach to improve the resilience and QoL of school‐aged children from low‐income families.…”

“…Music‐based interventions, as an inexpensive, accessible and transformative approach, have been increasingly used to improve resilience and psychosocial outcomes among different paediatric populations, including paediatric cancer survivors (Cheung et al., 2019 ), children and adolescents with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (Martin‐Moratinos et al., 2023 ) and autism spectrum disorder (Mayer‐Benarous et al., 2021 ), and hospitalised paediatric patients (Goren et al., 2023 ). Music‐based interventions have been found to have positive effects on psychosocial outcomes.…”

Effects of Background Music on Attentional Networks of Children With and Without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Case Control Experimental Study

“…Nevertheless, a recent review indicated that listening to music can reduce symptoms of ADHD and improve timing perception and regulation [22], which are important aspects for the functionality and well-being of this population.…”

The Effectiveness of Serious Games as Digital Therapeutics for Enhancing the Abilities of Children with ADHD: A Systematic Literature Review (Preprint)

“…Serious games have been proposed for neurodevelopmental disorder interventions primarily due to their appeal, engagement, and effectiveness [11 ,12 ]. Meanwhile, music therapy [13 ], exercise therapy [14 ], and chess therapy [15 ,16 ], shown to be effective for managing ADHD symptoms in children, can achieve better therapeutic effects when combined with serious games. In June 2023, the International Standards Organization (ISO) released Digital Therapies (DTx, ISO/TR 11147), which are evidence-based therapeutic interventions driven by software to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease.…”