Is music listening an effective intervention for reducing anxiety? A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies

Harney, Cristina; Johnson, Judith; Bailes, Freya; Havelka, J

doi:10.1177/10298649211046979

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Of interest, these calming songs had lower mean anxiety ratings than the STAI trait anxiety scale completed by participants when they first arrived. This is consistent with previous research indicating that music listening, as differentiated from traditional music therapy, can reduce self-ratings of anxiety (Harney et al, 2023). However, some studies (e.g., Ribeiro et al, 2019) suggest that the positive emotions induced by music are transient and that the emotional effect of music may diminish within two minutes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Thus, the assumption that self-selected music is necessarily therapeutic for young adults needs further testing. In a recent meta-analysis, Harney et al (2023) noted a lack of statistical significance when comparing the effects of participant vs. experimenter- selected music, which, along with the current findings, indicates that prescribed songs (e.g., Bagels or Weightless ) may help reduce anxiety in young adults.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 47%

“…Music has been shown to alleviate self-reported anxiety (Harney, Johnson, Bailes & Havelka, 2023), and interest in music peaks between mid-to-late adolescence and the beginnings of adulthood (Davies et al, 2022). Deng et al (2023) report that the prevalence of anxiety in young people is increasing and that the recent COVID-19 pandemic served to elevate anxiety- related symptoms, with their meta-analysis indicating that one-in-three adolescents experienced elevated anxiety.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the ability of music to induce calm in young adults

Shepherd,

Pedersen,

Vashista

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Music medicine may allow individuals with sub-clinical anxiety levels to self-medicate when and where they choose. The current study used subjective and objective anxiety measures to compare music’s ability to change emotional states. Subjective measures included ratings of a song’s pleasantness, arousal, dominance, and likability, as well as state and trait anxiety estimates. Objective measures were selected for skin conductance, heart rate (HR), and blood volume pulse (BVP) amplitude. The commercially available music consisted of ambient, metal, and pop songs. The participants, 28 young adults, listened to the six songs. During the songs, objective measurements were obtained, rating the song’s affective dimensions as they listened and their state of anxiety after each song. Results support the notion that different music genres can differentially affect subjective and objective measures of negative emotion. Specifically, low arousal / high valance songs were associated with lower state anxiety and physiological arousal levels. Discussion around the promise of music medicine and aspects of its management are presented, along with avenues of further inquiry.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 47%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigating the ability of music to induce calm in young adults

Shepherd,

Pedersen,

Vashista

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…The result of this study is in line with the findings of two recent reviews in which it is sustained that listening to music appears to be effective in the reduction of anxiety in a large range of clinical populations [ 45 , 46 ]. In particular, Harney et al point out that the significant reduction in anxiety may be linked to the emotional regulatory effects of this activity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Effects of Music Therapy in the Reduction of Pre-Meal Anxiety in Patients Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa

Ceccato

Roveran

2022

Brain Sciences

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Literature reviews appear to indicate that Music Therapy (MT) may instil a sense of empowerment and generate feelings of renewed self-confidence, distracting subjects who follow this type of intervention from negative thoughts and, generally, helping patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) to redevelop or rediscover their identity. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to investigate whether MT proposed before an evening meal is capable of decreasing pre-meal anxiety in adolescents suffering from AN who follow the Day-hospital Treatment Programme at the San Bortolo Hospital of Vicenza (Italy). A total of 24 patients participated voluntarily in once-weekly sessions of group-based MT conducted by a qualified music therapist over a period of six months. Before evening meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, pre-meal anxiety was measured using a self-report scale, and the MT group session occurred every Wednesday before the evening meal was consumed. MT activities were both active and receptive. It has been found that with respect to Mondays and Tuesdays, pre-meal anxiety was significantly lower on Wednesdays following participation in the MT group. MT is evidently capable of reducing pre-meal anxiety and may be adopted as a supportive element in treatment plans relating to patients with AN in a day-hospital treatment programme.

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“…There is good evidence from other studies that music can be used to decrease anxiety [42,43], particularly using music therapy approaches that meet the needs of individuals by offering tailored musical programs for their needs. In contrast, this pilot study examined a brief, virtual, live but scripted, group psychoeducational intervention that focused on increasing awareness of how music listening can be helpful and unhelpful.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Music to Manage Anxiety: A Mixed Methods Intervention Study Between Two Lockdowns

McFerran¹,

Cheong-Clinch²,

Bibb³

et al. 2023

OBM Integr Complement Med

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Lockdowns were a central strategy for managing the outbreak of COVID-19, and Melbourne, Australia had some of the most extensive restrictions globally during 2021. As a result, university students were faced with isolated living and challenging learning experiences. This pilot study occurred during 2021, close to both university assignment due dates and end of semester examinations and some of the longest lockdowns. Seventy-one participants responded to recruitment materials describing using music playlists to manage anxiety and avoid negative thinking patterns during stressful times. They then participated in a 1-hour live, virtual workshop incorporating didactic teaching and practice activities. Pre and post measures of musical engagement, wellbeing and anxiety were used, with additional qualitative data collected at post regarding the workshop, application of ideas, and quantitative data measuring uses of music for emotion regulation. Analysis of quantitative data did not reveal significant findings, but convergent analysis suggested patterns linking degree of anxiety with changed uses of music for regulation for some individuals. Participants described more intentional and informed uses of music that were less repetitive and more targeted. This was particularly apparent when rumination appeared to be prominent. Based on the results, the intervention seems most helpful as a psycho-educational tool, but the 1-hour workshop did not result in measurable changes for highly anxious participants.

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Is music listening an effective intervention for reducing anxiety? A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled studies

Cited by 25 publications

References 76 publications

Investigating the ability of music to induce calm in young adults

Investigating the ability of music to induce calm in young adults

Effects of Music Therapy in the Reduction of Pre-Meal Anxiety in Patients Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa

Using Music to Manage Anxiety: A Mixed Methods Intervention Study Between Two Lockdowns

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