ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Effect of music intervention on anxiety in critically ill patients, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pooled result · Anxiety scoresResult — go to the resultMD −1.11 95 % CI −12.97 to 10.75Authors' conclusion
Overall, current evidence does not support music therapy as an effective stand-alone intervention for anxiety reduction in critically ill patients.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill patients with anxiety
- Participants
- 325 patients · 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Music therapy vs control
- Outcome
- Anxiety scores (validated measures)
Methodological detailsrandom-effects model, sensitivity analysis
- Random-effects model
- Sensitivity analysis
Pooled result
Anxiety scores
MD
−1.11
95 % CI −12.97 to 10.75
P = 0.85
Music therapy vs control
MD −1.11 (95 % CI −12.97 to 10.75); P = 0.85
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
Anxiety scores, excluding two influential studies (sensitivity analysis)
| MD (95 % CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Music therapyI2 = 30 % | 0.69 (−2.15 to 3.53) | P = 0.63 | |
| −4−2024Difference (linear scale) |
Publication bias
- Funnel plot suggested possible publication bias; limited number of studies hindered formal assessment
Original publication
Effect of music intervention on anxiety in critically ill patients, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Crit Care. Published 7 June 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →