Effect of music therapy on pain in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this systematic literature review was to critically analyze and synthesize the current scientific literature on the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing pain among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs). Methods: The literature search strategy was performed in the digital databases of MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane library to identify relevant studies published from January 2000 to December 2024, assessing the impact of music therapy on pain-related outcomes. Results: Among the included studies (n=16), 10 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 6 were non-randomized studies, including 4 prospective cohort studies and 2 prospective comparative studies. Pain was most frequently assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and receptive music listening was the most frequently used method, with some studies incorporating additional therapeutic interventions. A total of 11 studies out of 16 reported a statistically significant decrease in pain intensity following music therapy interventions. Conversely, 5 studies reported mixed results, emphasizing the heterogeneity of populations and interventions. Conclusion: Music therapy appears to be a beneficial adjunct in pain management for patients with RMDs. However, well-designed randomized controlled trials, with larger sample sizes, are necessary to standardize intervention protocols and evaluate long-term effects.