Music Interventions for Reducing Pain and anxiety in Pediatric Emergency Departments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Background This meta-analysis synthesizes the existing evidence regarding the efficacy of music interventions in reducing pain and anxiety among children undergoing emergency departments (EDs) procedures. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing music interventions with standard care in children aged 0–18 years. Primary outcomes included pain intensity; secondary outcomes encompassed distress reduction and heart rate changes. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0. Results SixRCTs (490 participants) were included. Music interventions significantly reduced pain intensity (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.62, 95% CI: −3.00 to −0.24, p < 0.001) and anxiety (SMD = −0.67, 95% CI: −1.03to −0.30, p ＝0.549) compared to standard care. Conclusion Music interventions effectively alleviate procedural pain and anxiety in pediatric EDs. Clinicians should consider integrating music therapy into routine care, particularly interactive formats, to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Registration PROSPERO no: CRD420251008279.
