TDNet Discover

Objective: The purpose of this systematic literature review to determine if the use of music therapy in patients with insomnia leads to improved sleep quality. Background: Insomnia, a chronic and prevalent sleep disorder, affects up to one third of adults worldwide, and is not limited to age, race, ethnicity, or gender. Symptoms include difficulty falling or maintaining sleep and poor sleep quality. Comorbidities may include depression, anxiety, neurological disorders, and chronic pain. Medication-based treatments have long-term risks of dependence and abuse and may result in lethargy, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive and motor impairments. Behavioral therapies often require substantial time investment by the patient and provider. Musical intervention seems promising as an alternative treatment due to the correlation between music and mood regulation. Methods: The systematic review examined articles between 2014 and 2024 on the effectiveness of music therapy in the treatment of insomnia found in electronic databases including MEDLINE Complete, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results: The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in subjective quality of sleep in those diagnosed with insomnia as well as post-intervention scoring of questionnaires including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Secondary outcomes included a reduction in depression symptoms quantified using the DASS-21 and increased perception of quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusions: For those suffering from insomnia, music therapy may improve subjective perceptions of sleep quality, reduce depression.