Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Faculty
Academic Level (Author 5)
Faculty
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Neuroscience
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Patient Care
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Various treatments exist for treating anxiety disorders, and a therapy that appears to show promise is music therapy (MT). This includes using methods such as listening to music, structured musical activities, and improvisational musical activities. MT has shown efficacy in a wide range of settings including individuals with severe mental illness, cancer patients1,2, children, adults, in-patient care, and out-patient care.
Methods: This literature review aimed to evaluate current research on the efficacy of music therapy for treating anxiety. The guidelines for selecting which studies to review are as follows:
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Publication date: only studies published after 2000 were included to ensure this review reflects more current research practices.
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Patient population: only studies involving patients with anxiety were considered, regardless if they were seen in-patient or out-patient.
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Age: no age restrictions were applied regarding patients involved in the studies i.e. studies involving children, adolescents, and adults were all acceptable
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Study Design: various study designs were considered for this literature review, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and pilot studies. Not discriminating based on study design allowed for a broader perspective on the efficacy of music therapy in treating anxiety.
Results: Research indicates that music therapy can significantly reduce anxiety in diverse settings and patient populations. Meta-analyses reported effects ranging from small to moderate (SMD = 0.36 to 0.74)3. SMD means standard mean difference. A meta-analysis from 2021 investigated 32 RCTs involving 1,924 participants and found that MT notably reduced anxiety immediately post-intervention (SMD = -0.36)4, albeit long-term effects were less substantial. Interventions involving 12 or more MT sessions or interventions with active participation were especially effective.5 Some studies face methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, but the overall evidence supports MT’s efficacy in reducing anxiety. Therefore, a single study of a larger magnitude is needed to assess long-term impacts.
Conclusion: A literature review of academic databases was conducted to identify and analyze relevant literature regarding the efficacy of music therapy in treating anxiety. Music therapy demonstrates significant potential as an effective intervention for reducing anxiety in a diverse patient population. The papers examined give warrant to further investigation of music therapies' long-term effects on anxiety with a larger participant pool and a standardized way to measure anxiety.
Recommended Citation
McElliott, Joshua K.; Mourao, NIna; Woolman, Bethany; Mito, Shizue; and Alliey Rodriguez, Ney, "Harmony in Healing: Investigating the Impact of Music Therapy Reduction, Literature Review" (2025). Research Symposium. 81.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/81
Included in
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment Commons, Mental and Social Health Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Psychology Commons
Harmony in Healing: Investigating the Impact of Music Therapy Reduction, Literature Review
Background: Various treatments exist for treating anxiety disorders, and a therapy that appears to show promise is music therapy (MT). This includes using methods such as listening to music, structured musical activities, and improvisational musical activities. MT has shown efficacy in a wide range of settings including individuals with severe mental illness, cancer patients1,2, children, adults, in-patient care, and out-patient care.
Methods: This literature review aimed to evaluate current research on the efficacy of music therapy for treating anxiety. The guidelines for selecting which studies to review are as follows:
-
Publication date: only studies published after 2000 were included to ensure this review reflects more current research practices.
-
Patient population: only studies involving patients with anxiety were considered, regardless if they were seen in-patient or out-patient.
-
Age: no age restrictions were applied regarding patients involved in the studies i.e. studies involving children, adolescents, and adults were all acceptable
-
Study Design: various study designs were considered for this literature review, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and pilot studies. Not discriminating based on study design allowed for a broader perspective on the efficacy of music therapy in treating anxiety.
Results: Research indicates that music therapy can significantly reduce anxiety in diverse settings and patient populations. Meta-analyses reported effects ranging from small to moderate (SMD = 0.36 to 0.74)3. SMD means standard mean difference. A meta-analysis from 2021 investigated 32 RCTs involving 1,924 participants and found that MT notably reduced anxiety immediately post-intervention (SMD = -0.36)4, albeit long-term effects were less substantial. Interventions involving 12 or more MT sessions or interventions with active participation were especially effective.5 Some studies face methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, but the overall evidence supports MT’s efficacy in reducing anxiety. Therefore, a single study of a larger magnitude is needed to assess long-term impacts.
Conclusion: A literature review of academic databases was conducted to identify and analyze relevant literature regarding the efficacy of music therapy in treating anxiety. Music therapy demonstrates significant potential as an effective intervention for reducing anxiety in a diverse patient population. The papers examined give warrant to further investigation of music therapies' long-term effects on anxiety with a larger participant pool and a standardized way to measure anxiety.
