Music therapy and music medicine interventions with adult burn patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Pain is one of the most common and most difficult symptoms to manage in adult burn patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Insufficient or unsuccessful pain management can negatively affect physiological, psychological, and social health in burn patients, both during and after hospitalization. Music therapy and music medicine interventions have been shown to positively affect pain and mental health in this population. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an update of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) using music therapy or music medicine interventions in adult burn patients.

Methods: A variety of databases were searched from their beginning to June 2020, including PsycINFO and PsycArticles (via APAsycNET), PubMed and MEDLINE (via OvidSP), Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Data of all articles meeting the inclusion criteria were extracted, organized, and processed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using Q-test and I2 statistics.

Results: 10 RCTs with a total of 1061 participants were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction of pain (I² = 96.03%, P < 0.001), anxiety (I² = 98.85%, P < 0.002), and improved relaxation (I² = 87.19%, P < 0.001) favoring music interventions compared to control groups.

Conclusions: This review provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of music interventions for adult burn patients. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed to safely establish guidelines for music therapists and other health care professionals in using music for health purposes with this population.

Keywords: Anxiety; Burn patients; Meta-analysis; Music medicine; Music therapy; Pain; Systematic review.