Active and Passive Rhythmic Music Therapy Interventions Differentially Modulate Sympathetic Autonomic Nervous System Activity

The Sound of Memory: Investigating Music Therapy's Cognitive Benefits in Patients with Dementia-A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Numerous previous studies have shown the effectiveness of music therapy in enhancing cognitive functions in patients with dementia. Despite this, robust evidence in this field, especially concerning the comparison of different music therapy types, is lacking. Therefore, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on music therapy and cognitive functions in dementia patients, termed by "music" AND "dementia" OR "Alzheimer's disease" AND "cognitive", were identified from primary electronic databases to conduct this network meta-analysis (NMA). The primary outcome focused on the impact on cognitive functions, and the secondary outcome was the comparison of dropout rates between the intervention groups and the usual care control groups. Standardized mean difference (SMD) values and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for effect evaluation. This study protocol has been registered in IPLASY (INPLASY202430082). A total of 14 RCTs with 1056 participants were enrolled, examining interventions including Active Music Therapy (AMT), Active Music Therapy with Singing (AMT + Sing), Rhythmic Music Therapy (RMT), Listening to Music (LtM), and Singing (Sing). The results indicated that RMT, AMT + Sing, and AMT all significantly improve cognitive functions in dementia patients, of which the SMD were 0.76 (95% CI = 0.32-1.21), 0.79 (95% CI = 0.03-1.49), and 0.57 (0.18-0.96), respectively. Compared with the control group (usual care), no music therapy type was associated with an increased dropout risk. In conclusion, music therapy can improve cognitive functions in patients with dementia without increasing the risk of dropout, particularly RMT, AMT + Sing, and AMT.

Effect of Music Therapy on the Psychological Well-Being of Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the management effect of music therapy on the psychological health of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), with focus on improving levels of depression, anxiety and stress.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of clinical data was conducted for 218 patients with sleep disorders accompanied by hemodialysis (HD) from January 2020 to December 2023. The subjects were categorized into a control group comprising 122 cases and an observational group comprising 96 cases. The observation group received music therapy in addition to routine management for 3 months. The psychological health status of patients was assessed using the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Hemodialysis Stressor Scale (HSS), among other indicators. t Tests, χ2 test and Wilcoxon test were performed.

RESULTS

After 3 months, the SDS and SAS scores of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The scores for the "psychological stressors," "physiological stressors" and "social stressors" dimensions of HSS were also significantly lower in the observation group compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). The overall satisfaction rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (96.88% vs. 88.52%, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Music therapy exerted a positive effect on improving the psychological health of HD patients, particularly in reducing stress levels. This study provides clinical evidence for music therapy as a low-cost and effective adjunctive treatment.

Wonder symphony: epigenetics and the enchantment of the arts

Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence, has gained significant attention due to its implications for gene regulation and chromatin stability. Epigenetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in gene-environment interactions, shaping individual development and adaptation. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are key epigenetic regulators. Epigenetic changes can be triggered by environmental factors, including stress, toxins, and social interactions, influencing health and well-being. Positive experiences, such as engagement with the arts, have been linked to emotional responses and neurotransmitter release. While the impacts of detrimental factors on epigenetics have been widely studied, the effects of positive influences are less explored. Specifically, visual art and music have profound effects on emotions, cognition, and mood regulation. Exposure to arts enhances memory, reduces stress, and fosters social inclusion. Recent research has begun to explore the links between positive experiences and epigenetic modifications, suggesting that aesthetic experiences, including visual art and music fruition, might induce dynamic and/or stable changes in gene expression profiles. However, this field is in its infancy, and more research is needed to establish clear connections. Collaborative efforts among genetics, epigenetics, neuroscience, psychology, and the arts are essential for a comprehensive understanding. Longitudinal studies tracking sustained exposure to positive experiences and examining the influence of childhood artistic education on the biological bases of therapeutic effects of art and music are promising avenues for future research. Ultimately, understanding how positive experiences influence epigenetics could provide insights into the long-term enhancement of human well-being.

Randomized, controlled clinical trial of acoustic stimulation to reduce postconcussive symptoms

OBJECTIVE

Effective interventions are needed to address postconcussive symptoms. We report the results of randomized, sham-controlled trial of Cereset Research™ Standard Operating Procedures (CR-SOP), a noninvasive, closed-loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology previously shown to improve insomnia.

METHODS

Military service members, veterans, or their spouses with persistent symptoms (Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory [NSI] Score ≥23) after mTBI 3 months to 10 years ago, were randomized to receive 10 sessions of engineered tones linked to brainwaves (LB, intervention), or random engineered tones not linked to brainwaves (NL, sham control). The primary outcome was change in NSI, with secondary outcomes of heart rate variability and self-report measures of sleep, mood, and anxiety.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 106, 22% female, mean age 37.1, 2.8 deployments, 3.8 TBIs) were randomized 1:1 to LB or NL, with no significant differences between groups at baseline. Among all study participants, the NSI declined from baseline 41.0 to 27.2 after (P < 0.0001), with gains largely sustained at 3 months (31.2) and 6 months (28.4). However, there were no significant differences between the LB (NSI declined from 39.9 at baseline to 28.2 post-intervention, 31.5 at 3 months, and 29.4 at 6 months) and NL (NSI declined from 41.5 at baseline to 26.2, 29.9, and 27.3, respectively. Similar patterns were observed for the PCL5 and PHQ-9 and there was no difference in HRV between groups.

INTERPRETATION

Ten hours of acoustic stimulation while resting in a zero-gravity chair improves postconcussive symptoms. However, linking tones to brain electrical activity did not reduce symptoms more than random tones.

REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT03649958.

Does music intervention relieve depression or anxiety in people living with dementia? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to summarize the available evidence on music intervention alleviating depression or anxiety in dementia.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed to analyze the effects of music intervention on depression or anxiety. Subgroups were created to explore the effect of intervention period, duration, and frequency on efficacy. The effect size was reported as a mean standardized difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

The analysis included 19 articles involving 614 samples. Thirteen studies for relieving depression revealed that, with an increase in intervention period, the efficacy decreased and then increased, whereas with an increase of intervention duration, the effect became better. A weekly intervention is ideal. Seven studies verifying the impact on anxiety relief revealed that the effect of intervention within 12 wk is significant; with an increase of intervention duration, the effect became better. A weekly intervention is ideal. Collaborative analysis showed that long low-frequency interventions are more efficient than short high-frequency interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Music intervention can relieve depression or anxiety in people living with dementia. Weekly short interventions of more than 45 min are effective for emotional regulation. Future research should concentrate on severe dementia and follow-up impact.

Does Music Intervention Improve Anxiety in Dementia Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Music interventions (MIs) have been widely used to relieve anxiety in dementia in clinical settings. However, limited meta-analysis with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic has been conducted so far. A systematic search was conducted in four major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) for data provided by RCTs from the inception to February 2023. The search strategy employed the terms "anxiety AND music AND dementia OR Alzheimer's disease". Thirteen RCTs (827 participants) were included. The results showed MI reduced anxiety significantly (SMD = -0.67, p < 0.001), especially for Alzheimer's disease (p = 0.007) and Mixed (p < 0.001)-type dementia. Moreover, significant improvements in agitation (p = 0.021) and depression (p < 0.001) in dementia were observed. Additionally, several psychological mechanisms which may be associated with MI were reviewed comprehensively. In conclusion, our findings support the efficacy of MI in alleviating anxiety symptoms in dementia patients. PROSPERO Registration (ID: CRD42021276646).

Effects of music therapy on anxiety in patients with cancer: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Although music therapy (MT) has been found to reduce anxiety in patients with cancer and delay tumour progression to some extent, its mechanism of action has not been determined. MT may reduce anxiety by reducing the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of MT on anxiety and cytokine levels in patients with cancer.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This randomised, open, single-centre parallel-controlled trial will randomise 60 patients with malignant tumours who meet the inclusion criteria in a 1:1 ratio to either an MT group or a non-MT (NMT) group. Patients in the MT group will receive emotional nursing care and individualised receptive MT for 1 week, whereas patients in the NMT group will receive emotional nursing care alone. Primary outcomes will include scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Distress Thermometer and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Secondary outcomes will include scores on the Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, serum concentrations of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, serum concentrations of the neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone and γ-aminobutyric acid, and determination of gut microbiota populations.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

On 5 August 2020, the study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The findings of this study will be published in peer-reviewed publications and presented at appropriate conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CTR2000035244.

Virtual Music Therapy versus Virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cancer Survivors: Rationale and Protocol for a Comparative Effectiveness Trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND

Cancer survivors represent one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. Unfortunately, nearly 1 in 3 survivors experience anxiety symptoms as a long-term consequence of cancer and its treatment. Characterized by restlessness, muscle tension, and worry, anxiety worsens the quality of life; impairs daily functioning; and is associated with poor sleep, depressed mood, and fatigue. Although pharmacological treatment options are available, polypharmacy has become a growing concern for cancer survivors. Music therapy (MT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are evidence-based, nonpharmacological treatments that have demonstrated effectiveness in treating anxiety symptoms in cancer populations and can be adapted for remote delivery to increase access to mental health treatments. However, the comparative effectiveness of these 2 interventions delivered via telehealth is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the Music Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Cancer-related Anxiety (MELODY) study are to determine the comparative effectiveness of telehealth-based MT versus telehealth-based CBT for anxiety and comorbid symptoms in cancer survivors and to identify patient-level factors associated with greater anxiety symptom reduction for MT and CBT.

METHODS

The MELODY study is a 2-arm, parallel-group randomized clinical trial that aims to compare the effectiveness of MT versus CBT for anxiety and comorbid symptoms. The trial will enroll 300 English- or Spanish-speaking survivors of any cancer type or stage who have experienced anxiety symptoms for at least 1 month. Participants will receive 7 weekly sessions of MT or CBT delivered remotely via Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc) over 7 weeks. Validated instruments to assess anxiety (primary outcome), comorbid symptoms (fatigue, depression, insomnia, pain, and cognitive dysfunction), and health-related quality of life will be administered at baseline and at weeks 4, 8 (end of treatment), 16, and 26. Semistructured interviews will be conducted at week 8 with a subsample of 60 participants (30 per treatment arm) to understand individual experiences with the treatment sessions and their impact.

RESULTS

The first study participant was enrolled in February 2022. As of January 2023, 151 participants have been enrolled. The trial is expected to be completed by September 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first and largest randomized clinical trial to compare the short- and long-term effectiveness of remotely delivered MT and CBT for anxiety in cancer survivors. Limitations include the lack of usual care or placebo control groups and the lack of formal diagnostic assessments for psychiatric disorders among trial participants. The study findings will help guide treatment decisions for 2 evidence-based, scalable, and accessible interventions to promote mental well-being during cancer survivorship.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/46281.

Cereset Research Standard Operating Procedures for Insomnia: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Background

Interventions for insomnia that also address autonomic dysfunction are needed.

Objective

We evaluate Cereset Research™ Standard Operating Procedures (CR-SOP) in a pilot randomized, controlled trial. CR-SOP is a less operator-dependent, more generalizable innovation of HIRREM^®, a noninvasive, closed-loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology demonstrated to improve insomnia and autonomic function.

Methods

Adults with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores of ≥8 were randomized to receive ten sessions of CR-SOP, with tones linked to brainwaves (LB, intervention), or a sham condition of random tones not linked to brainwaves (NL, control). Measures were collected at enrollment and 0-14 days and 4-6 weeks post-allocated intervention. The primary outcome was differential change in ISI from baseline to 4-6 weeks post-intervention. Secondary self-report measures assessed sleep quality65 and behavioral outcomes. Ten-minute recordings of heart rate and blood pressure were collected to analyze autonomic function (heart rate variability [HRV] and baroreflex sensitivity).

Results

Of 22 randomized, 20 participants completed the allocated condition. Intention to treat analysis of change from baseline to the 4-6 week outcome demonstrated mean ISI score reduction of 4.69 points among controls (SE 1.40). In the intervention group, there was an additional 2.58 point reduction in ISI score (SE 2.13; total reduction of 7.27, P = .24). Sleep quality and some measures of autonomic function improved significantly among the intervention group compared to control.

Conclusions

This pilot study compared use of a standardized, allostatic, acoustic neurotechnology intervention with a sham, active control condition. The magnitude of change in insomnia severity was clinically relevant and similar to the findings in a prior, fully powered trial, but the differential improvement observed was not statistically significant. Significant improvements were demonstrated in sleep quality and some autonomic function measures.

Musical preferences of Indian children with autism spectrum disorder and acceptability of music therapy by their families: An exploratory study

Background

Music therapy has been in use for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) since the 1940s. However, there is limited scientific evidence on its use in the Indian context.

Aim

The present study aims to explore musical preferences of children with ASD and their caregivers' acceptability of music as a form of intervention.

Materials and Methods

It is a cross-sectional study of 120 subjects diagnosed with ASD as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 identified by convenience sampling. A semi-structured interview schedule consisting of 25 objective response questions with multiple choices and 11 open-ended questions (pertaining to music and the use of music) was used to explore caregivers'/parents' thoughts and beliefs. The responses to open-ended questions were collected in narrative mode. A descriptive approach of content analysis was adopted to analyse the data. The data are presented using descriptive statistics. Institutional Ethics Committee's approval was obtained for conducting the study.

Results

Most of the children liked (89.2%, n = 107) music and responded (88.3%, n = 106) actively (listen intently/hum or sing or dance along) to music. Most subjects preferred rhythm (65%, n = 78) over melody (15%, n = 18). While 98.3% (n = 118) of the parents were willing to try music therapy for their child, 61% of them (n = 72) asked follow-up questions like - "Is there available data on it?" (n = 12; 10.2%) and "Will it be worth investing our time and efforts on it?" (n = 60; 50.8%).

Conclusion

Most of the children including those with auditory sensitivity like music and prefer rhythm over melody. Caregivers possess a positive attitude toward the use of music therapy. However, most of them wish to clarify the scientific basis of the same.

Music listening and stress recovery in healthy individuals: A systematic review with meta-analysis of experimental studies

Effective stress recovery is crucial to prevent the long-term consequences of stress exposure. Studies have suggested that listening to music may be beneficial for stress reduction. Thus, music listening stands to be a promising method to promote effective recovery from exposure to daily stressors. Despite this, empirical support for this opinion has been largely equivocal. As such, to clarify the current literature, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized, controlled experimental studies investigating the effects of music listening on stress recovery in healthy individuals. In fourteen experimental studies, participants (N = 706) were first exposed to an acute laboratory stressor, following which they were either exposed to music or a control condition. A random-effects meta-regression with robust variance estimation demonstrated a non-significant cumulative effect of music listening on stress recovery g = 0.15, 95% CI [-0.21, 0.52], t(13) = 0.92, p = 0.374. In healthy individuals, the effects of music listening on stress recovery seemed to vary depending on musical genre, who selects the music, musical tempo, and type of stress recovery outcome. However, considering the significant heterogeneity between the modest number of included studies, no definite conclusions may currently be drawn about the effects of music listening on the short-term stress recovery process of healthy individuals. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Potential Benefits of Music Therapy on Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke is associated with a high rate of disability and mortality, and survivors are usually accompanied with dysphagia, aphasia, motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression, and other complications. In the past decades, many studies have been conducted to reveal the pathogenesis and pathological mechanisms of stroke. Furthermore, treatment methods have been developed that contribute to the elevated survival rate of stroke patients. Early rehabilitation poststroke is starting to be recognized as important and has been receiving increasing attention in order to further improve the quality of life of the patients. As an emerging method of poststroke rehabilitation, music therapy can help attenuate dysphagia and aphasia, improve cognition and motor function, alleviate negative moods, and accelerate neurological recovery in stroke patients. This review helps summarize the recent progress that has been made using music therapy in stroke rehabilitation and is aimed at providing clinical evidence for the treatment of stroke patients.

When Musical Accompaniment Allows the Preferred Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Movement

A musical accompaniment is often used in movement coordination and stability exercise modalities, although considered obstructive for their fundament of preferred movement pace. This study examined if the rhythmic strength of musical excerpts used in movement coordination and exercise modalities allows the preferred spatio-temporal pattern of movement. Voluntary and spontaneous body sway (70 s) were tested (N=20 young women) in a non-musical (preferred) and two rhythmic strength (RS) musical conditions (Higher:HrRS, Lower:LrRS). The center of pressure trajectory was used for the body sway spatio-temporal characteristics (Kistler forceplate, 100 Hz). Statistics included paired t-tests between each musical condition and the non-musical one, as well as between musical conditions (p≤0.05). Results indicated no significant difference between the musical and the non-musical conditions (p>0.05). The HrRS differed significantly from LrRS only in the voluntary body sway, with increased sway duration (p=0.03), center of pressure path (p=0.04) and velocity (p=0.01). The findings provide evidence-based support for the rhythmic strength recommendations in movement coordination and stability exercise modalities. The HrRS to LrRS differences in voluntary body sway most possibly indicate that low-frequency musical features rather than just tempo and pulse clarity are also important.

The effects of listening to healing beat music on adults' recovery from exposure to stressful stimuli: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Musical auditory stimulation can affect the brain and autonomic nervous system, resulting in psychological and physical relaxation. In particular, listening to healing beat music with a tempo synchronized with an individual's heart rate can make a person feel comfortable. This study investigated whether healing beat music, utilized as a heartbeat-matched auditory stimulus, could be employed to improve patient recovery after exposure to stressful stimuli.

Methods

This study was a randomized controlled trial and participants were adults above age of 20 who voluntarily participated. As outcome variables, stress index, BIS index, sympathetic nerve activity, and blood pressure were measured and compared at 5 min intervals.

Results

Following the treatment, the stress index (F = 3.78, p < .001), BIS index (F = 5.61, p < .001), and systolic blood pressure (F = 3.14, p =.019) of the a healing beat music listening group (HBMG) were significantly lower than those of the control group (CG). More specifically, the stress index (P <.05) and the BIS index (P <.05) of the HBMG were lower than the indices of the preferred music listening group (PMG) and the CG at 30 min.

Conclusions

Listening to healing beat music with a tempo synchronized with the heart rates of the participants had the effect of lowering stress index and systolic pressure. Accordingly, healing beat music may be utilized as a treatment method to relieve stress in both clinical and daily life contexts.

Use of Palliative Care Music Therapy in a Hospital Setting during COVID-19

As many hospitals scaled back integrative therapies during the COVID-19 pandemic, we instead turned to the multifaceted qualities of music to bridge physical and social divides. In this report, we describe palliative care music therapists as frontline providers utilizing evidence-based approaches to support healing and recovery for patients in the intensive care unit, patient and family care at end of life, and staff wellness. We provide examples of music therapy (MT) to promote successful weaning from mechanical ventilation, create bedside rituals and legacy gifts for dying patients and their families, and provide real-time support for overwhelmed staff. Despite barriers brought on by the pandemic, the sensory and emotional immediacy of music bridged social distances at critical moments and addressed "suffering beyond words" among patients, families and health care workers. Our experience reinforced the need for MT as standard of interdisciplinary care during the pandemic and beyond.

Songwriting intervention for cognitively-impaired children with life-limiting conditions: Study protocol

Investigations evaluating the effectiveness of music-based interventions as a complementary approach to symptom management and health promotion for cognitively-impaired children with life-limiting conditions and their families are needed to minimize the physical and psychological burdens on individuals and their caregivers. Songwriting is one music-based strategy for a remote family-centered complementary approach to improve outcomes for cognitively-impaired children with life-limiting conditions, their parents, and families. The overall purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a songwriting intervention for cognitively-impaired children (ages 5-17 years) who are receiving palliative or complex care and their parents. Specific aims are to: (1) determine the feasibility of songwriting for cognitively-impaired children with life-limiting conditions and their parents, and (2) examine preliminary efficacy of songwriting for child psychological distress and physical symptoms, parent psychological distress, and family environment. The protocol for this 1-group pre-and post-intervention clinical trial (N = 25) is described.

The Use of Music in the Treatment and Management of Serious Mental Illness: A Global Scoping Review of the Literature

Mental and substance use disorders have been identified as the leading cause of global disability, and the global burden of mental illness is concentrated among those experiencing disability due to serious mental illness (SMI). Music has been studied as a support for SMIs for decades, with promising results; however, a lack of synthesized evidence has precluded increased uptake of and access to music-based approaches. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the types and quantity of research at intersections of music and SMIs, document evidentiary gaps and opportunities, and generate recommendations for improving research and practice. Studies were included if they reported on music's utilization in treating or mitigating symptoms related to five SMIs: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Eight databases were searched; screening resulted in 349 included studies for data extraction. Schizophrenia was the most studied SMI, with bipolar disorder studied the least. Demographics, settings, and activity details were found to be inconsistently and insufficiently reported; however, listening to recorded music emerged as the most common musical activity, and activity details appeared to have been affected by the conditions under study. RCTs were the predominant study design, and 271 unique measures were utilized across 289 primary studies. Over two-thirds of primary studies (68.5%) reported positive results, with 2.8% reporting worse results than the comparator, and 12% producing indeterminate results. A key finding is that evidence synthesis is precluded by insufficient reporting, widely varied outcomes and measures, and intervention complexity; as a result, widespread changes are necessary to reduce heterogeneity (as feasible), increase replicability and transferability, and improve understandings of mechanisms and causal pathways. To that end, five detailed recommendations are offered to support the sharing and development of information across disciplines.

"Music Makes My Old Heart Beat": A Randomised Controlled Study on the Benefits of the Use of Music in Comprehensive Care for Institutionalised Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Research on the therapeutic use of music is growing, but the lack of experimental rigour and outcomes diversity has impeded researchers from obtaining clear evidence of the multiple benefits of music interventions in older adults. We explored the outcomes of a music-complemented intervention integrated into the therapeutic activities of institutionalised elderly people.

METHODS

A randomised controlled study with baseline, post-intervention, and 2-week follow-up measures was carried out with 50 residents in a caring institution. Several indicators of physical health, cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, pain, and happiness were assessed at all phases.

RESULTS

Mixed factorial ANOVAs showed a positive impact of the music intervention on the outcomes in the intervention group (effect sizes up to .78) compared to the stability in the control (waiting list) group. Notably, the benefits seemed to be temporary, as they decreased progressively after the discontinuation of the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the effects of a planned music-based intervention on several health- and well-being-related outcomes and has important applications regarding the use of music as a complement in therapeutic interventions with elderly people. The implementation of music therapy within the comprehensive care of institutionalised people must be maintained over time for the effects to be durable.

Influence of Music on Closed Motor Skills: A Controlled Study with Novice Female Dart-Throwers

The influence of music heard at different tempos is analyzed during the execution of a dart-throwing task. The sample consisted of 56 female university students (Mean age = 23.38, SD = 6.773). The participants were randomly assigned to GC (group control without music; n = 18), GS (group with slow-paced music at a tempo of 60 BPM; n = 19) and GF (group with fast-paced music at a tempo of 105 BPM; n = 19). All participants performed a dart-throwing task in two phases. Analysis of the scores obtained during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of dart throwing (examining both between-group differences and within-group differences, i.e., changes in scores from Phase 1 to Phase 2 using a mixed factorial ANOVA) revealed no differences in dart-throwing scores. There were, however, differences in execution time, where the participants in GS needed more time to complete the task than those in GF (F_(2,55) = 4.426, p = 0.017) with a large effect size (ŋ²_p = 0.143), although neither of these groups differed from GC. The results are discussed in terms of the role of music in precision tasks and the synchronization of the task with the pace of the music.