Do asthmatics benefit from music therapy? A systematic review

Agnieszka Sliwka; Tomasz Wloch; Dariusz Tynor; Roman Nowobilski

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2014.07.002

Do asthmatics benefit from music therapy? A systematic review

Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):756-66. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.07.002. Epub 2014 Jul 18.

Authors

Agnieszka Sliwka¹, Tomasz Wloch², Dariusz Tynor³, Roman Nowobilski⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland; Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Cracow, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka.sliwka@uj.edu.pl.
² Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Cracow, Poland; Unit of Rehabilitation in Internal Diseases, Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Motor Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
³ University School of Physical Education in Krakow, Cracow, Poland.
⁴ Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland; Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Cracow, Poland.

PMID: 25146081
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2014.07.002

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of music therapy in asthma.

Methods: Searches for experimental and observational studies published between 01.01.92 and 31.12.13 were conducted through electronic databases: Medline/PubMed, Embase, SportDiscus, Cochrane Library, Teacher Reference Centre, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PEDro and Scopus. The selection criteria included any method of music therapy applied to patients with asthma, with respect to asthma symptoms and lung function. Two reviewers screened the records independently. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Strength of recommendation was graded according to GRADE recommendation.

Results: The literature search identified 867 citations, from which 8 (three RCTs and five nRCTs) low and high risk of bias studies were included in the review. All RCTs used music listening as a form of complementary treatment. One RCT of the low risk of bias indicated positive effects on lung function in mild asthma. In two others, despite the decrease in asthma symptoms, music was not more effective than the control condition. In two nRCTs a decrease in asthma symptoms was reported as an effect of playing a brass or wind instrument; in two nRCTs the same effect was observed after music assisted vocal breathing exercises and singing. Mood improvement, decrease of depression and anxiety were also observed.

Conclusion: The paucity, heterogeneity, and significant methodological limitations of available studies allow for only a weak recommendation for music therapy in asthma. This study highlights the need for further research of mixed methodology.

Keywords: Asthma; Complementary medicine; Music therapy.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Asthma*
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Music
Music Therapy*
Young Adult