Search Results (56)

Background: Cochlear implants (CIs) serve diverse populations with hearing loss, but patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) often show lower post-implantation usage and satisfaction than bilateral CI users. This disparity may stem from their normal contralateral ear providing sufficient auditory input for many daily situations, reducing the perceived need for consistent CI use. Consequently, uniform screening and evaluations, typically designed for bilateral hearing loss, often fail to address SSD’s unique needs. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes the current literature to explore patient and device factors shaping CI integration, outcomes, and experience in SSD. It highlights implications for developing personalized care strategies distinct from those used in bilateral hearing loss. Results: SSD patients face unique challenges: reliance on compensatory behaviors and significant auditory processing difficulties like acoustic–electric mismatch and place–pitch discrepancy. Anatomical factors and deafness of duration also impact outcomes. Traditional measures are often insufficient due to ceiling effects. Music perception offers a sensitive metric and rehabilitation tool, while big data and machine learning show promise for predicting outcomes and tailoring interventions. Conclusions: Optimizing CI care for SSD necessitates a personalized approach across candidacy, counseling, and rehabilitation. Tailored strategies, including individualized frequency mapping, adaptive auditory training, advanced outcome metrics like music perception, and leveraging big data for precise, data-driven predictions, are crucial for improving consistent CI usage and overall patient satisfaction. Full article

There is growing evidence regarding non-pharmacological therapies such as music as a supportive approach for the treatment of various clinical conditions in humans. Physiological and neurobiological research suggests that music exposure is related to endorphin, endocannabinoid and dopamine release, favourable effects on autonomic nervous system functioning and is associated with decreased pain perception and reduced stress response. Further evidence in humans demonstrates a beneficial role of music application during the perioperative period by improving various outcome measures, such as the perioperative stress and anxiety levels, the sedation or general anaesthetic requirements, the pain levels, the analgesic requirements and other parameters related to patient prognosis, without reported side effects. Accordingly, such interventions have been considered as a method of environmental enrichment for animal welfare enhancement, by masking potentially disturbing background noises and by ameliorating anxiety or aggressive behaviours in different stressful settings in dogs and cats. Furthermore, research has been lately extended to the potential music’s effect in these species during the perioperative period, considered a stressful setting, as well. This review presents the existing evidence of music application focusing on the perioperative period of dogs and cats, as part of a multimodal approach, to improve their surgical outcome and welfare. Full article

Objective: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of an online music therapy protocol for individuals previously diagnosed with COVID-19, focusing on their perceptions of their respiratory symptoms and the intervention’s impact on psychosocial measures. Methods: A within-subject experimental design was applied to examine an eight-week weekly online music therapy protocol, including singing, wind instrument playing, and music visualizations. All self-report data were collected bi-weekly throughout the 16-weeks study period, including baseline and post-tests. The measures for respiratory symptoms included the Medical Research Council’s Dyspnea Scale (MRC Dyspnea), Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire-Mastery Scores (CRQ Mastery), and Visual Analogue Scale for breathlessness. The measures for the secondary psychosocial outcomes were the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results: Twenty-four participants were enrolled. The participants perceived a reduction in respiratory symptoms, and shortness of breath (MRC Dyspnea). Planned comparisons showed significant decreases in MRC from baseline to post-treatment (p = 0.008). The mixed-effects model, including pre-baseline and post-treatment, was significant (p < 0.001). Significant changes in Breathing VAS were consistent with improvements in MRC Dyspnea, showing a significant baseline-to-post difference (p = 0.01). The CRQ Mastery showed significant improvements from baseline to Week 12 (p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed in other secondary measures. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that this protocol is feasible, and as a result, may help individuals previously diagnosed with COVID-19 to cope with lasting respiratory symptoms and improve their perception of shortness of breath. Live music-making, including playing accessible wind instruments and singing, may contribute to an increase sense of control over breathing. As this was a feasibility study, we conducted multiple uncorrected statistical comparisons to explore potential effects. While this approach may increase the risk of Type I error, the findings are intended to inform hypotheses for future confirmatory studies rather than to draw definitive conclusions. Full article

Music therapy in paediatric palliative care offers a unique opportunity for emotional support, legacy creation, and therapeutic connection for children and their families. This paper describes the Heartbeats Intervention, as delivered by a paediatric palliative care music therapist at Sydney Children’s Hospital Australia. This intervention involves recording and creatively integrating the heartbeats of children and family members into personalised musical compositions. Originally inspired by music therapist Brian Schreck’s work, the intervention has evolved to meet diverse therapeutic goals, from soothing children with serious illnesses (including cancer) with recordings of their families’ heartbeats to creating legacy song tracks that support families through bereavement. Despite some logistical and resource challenges, the intervention has been well-received and continues to expand, including the integration of environmental soundscapes and broader community involvement, which allows the intervention to be experienced by a greater number of families. This paper contributes to the limited but growing literature on music therapy in paediatric palliative care, highlighting the Heartbeats Intervention as a flexible and meaningful way to enhance psychosocial support and connection for children and their families. Further research to evaluate its long-term impact and to explore children’s direct experiences of the intervention is needed. Full article

This article introduces China’s first Center for Music Performance Science and Musicians’ Medicine. In the center, motion capture (MoCap) technology is used to study piano performance and musicians’ health. An idea and methodology to assess the performance of piano performance are developed in the center. The center uses high-precision MoCap system to analyze movement efficiency, posture, joint angles, and coordination of pianists. By addressing physical challenges, the center promotes healthier, more efficient practice ways, especially for adolescent piano learners. The pioneering research results bridge the gap between music performance (art) and science, positioning China as a leader in music performance science and musicians’ health. Full article

Hearing loss is one of the most common and undertreated medical conditions worldwide, with an estimated 466 million people (5% of the world’s population) reporting disabling hearing impairment. The implications are significant; untreated hearing loss increases the risk of depression, social isolation, unemployment, cognitive decline, and falls. Cochlear implants (CIs) are surgically implanted electrical devices that allow people with severe hearing loss to process sound. Over the past 50 years, CI development has made remarkable ground, such that most CI users have adequate speech perception in a silent environment. These language achievements, while significant milestones, fall short of perfect sensory restoration. Many of these limitations with complex sound perception are due to our one-size-fits-all approach towards CIs and speech-based metrics for evaluating implant performance. In the past decade, there has been exponential interest in improving CI-mediated music perception, as it serves as a key conduit to restoring normal hearing. The present literature demonstrates the need for a personalized approach towards cochlear implantation and management. Our proposed narrative review illustrates the limitations of CI-mediated sound processing and discusses ways in which precision medicine can be introduced into the ever-expanding hearing loss population. Full article

Preoperative anxiety affects approximately 80% of adult patients; thus, identifying patients with excessive anxiety and implementing appropriate interventions can significantly reduce the risk of deterioration during the perioperative period. This narrative review presents current knowledge about pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods for reducing preoperative anxiety. Commonly used pharmacological options include benzodiazepines, ketamine, or fentanyl. Antidepressants have also been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms, but they typically require four weeks to take effect. Establishment of supportive relationships with medical staff to help patients express their feelings have been shown to have a positive impact on anxiety reduction. Other nonpharmacological methods include the provision of information through informed consent forms, video materials, virtual reality, or the use of psychotherapeutic interventions such as breathing techniques, music therapy, or cognitive–behavioural therapy. Some studies suggest that essential oils may have a role in reducing perioperative anxiety. Nonpharmacological interventions can be used in patients of different ages. An increasing number of researchers advocate for a holistic approach that integrates less invasive and cost-effective interventions with conventional medicine. While various interventions have been proposed to manage preoperative anxiety, more research is needed to establish the most effective and feasible interventions for different patient populations. Full article

Objective: To provide a state of the art on the use, role, and function of music during psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with ayahuasca. Introduction: Ayahuasca is a medicinal brew with psychoactive qualities used by indigenous communities throughout the Amazon region, and music is deemed crucial during ayahuasca experiences. In PAT, music forms part of the set and setting, but it lacks systematization and is poorly explored in the scientific literature. Inclusion criteria: Published literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, focusing on conceptualizing, defining, or describing the use, role, and/or function of music in PAT sessions with ayahuasca. Methods: This review follows the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. We will search Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases without year restrictions, and a hand search of articles will be performed. Two reviewers will assess titles/abstracts, followed by independent reviews of included full texts. An Excel data extraction sheet will be used to tabulate the information. The findings will be presented narratively, including respective tables or figures. If feasible, a potential theoretical framework for the use, role, and function of music during PAT with ayahuasca will be outlined, including implications for future research and clinical practice. Full article

Background: Music intervention (MI) is a promising complementary therapy for alleviating psychological distress in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy of MI in reducing anxiety, depression, and fatigue in these patients. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from inception to 9 January 2025. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies investigating MI’s impact on psychological outcomes in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy in this review. The study quality was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 for RCTs and the ROBINS-I tool for cohort studies. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model in Review Manager 5.4. Results: A total of 13 studies (11 RCTs and 2 cohort studies) with 1073 participants were included. The pooled analysis revealed a significant reduction in anxiety (mean difference [MD]: −3.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.98 to −1.07, p = 0.003), a non-significant effect on depression (MD: −1.12, 95% CI: −3.25 to 1.01, p = 0.29), and a significant improvement in fatigue (MD: −15.88, 95% CI: −28.19 to −3.57, p = 0.01). A subgroup analysis based on intervention type indicated that music medicine (MM) was more effective in reducing anxiety compared to music therapy (MT). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that MI, particularly MM, may be beneficial in alleviating anxiety and fatigue in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy, but its impact on depression remains inconclusive. Future studies should employ standardized methodologies and rigorous RCT designs to validate these findings. Full article

Adolescent obesity is a growing global health problem all around the world. We reviewed the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for adolescent obesity, examining improvements in BMI or any metabolic indices of obesity. We performed a PubMed and Scopus search for articles on CAM treatments in adolescents aged 12–17 years, and included all studies with subjects in that age range. Out of 226 PubMed articles and 14 Scopus articles, 28 articles from PubMed and 1 article from Scopus fit our criteria. Most CAM studies that showed some improvement in BMI were acupuncture- or yoga-based. Yoga-based interventions showed a BMI reduction of 1–2 points, which is similar to results achieved in studies based on physical activity and Orlistat, a weak anti-obesity medication; meanwhile, acupuncture-based studies showed a slightly higher BMI reduction of 2–4 points, similar to that achieved with Liraglutide, a GLP-1 agonist that is a good anti-obesity medication. Herbs and supplements showed improvement in metabolic markers of obesity. Stress interventions in mind–body interventions, music skip-rope exercise, and creative drama in physical activity-based interventions also showed improvement in BMI. Although many of the studies reviewed were RCTs, the small sample size of those RCTs is a limiting factor. There may be a role for investigating this topic in larger populations to generate more effective conclusions. Full article

This study designs and develops a wearable exoskeleton piano assistance system for individuals recovering from neurological injuries, aiming to help users regain the ability to perform complex tasks such as playing the piano. While soft robotic exoskeletons have proven effective in rehabilitation therapy and daily activity assistance, challenges remain in performing highly dexterous tasks due to structural complexity and insufficient motion accuracy. To address these issues, we developed a modular division method based on multi-domain mapping and a top-down process model. This method integrates the functional domain, structural domain, and user needs domain, and explores the principles and methods for creating functional construction modules, overcoming the limitations of traditional top-down approaches in design flexibility. By closely combining layout constraints with the design model, this method significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of module configuration, offering a new path for the development of piano practice assistance devices. The results demonstrate that this device innovatively combines piano practice with rehabilitation training and through the introduction of ontological modeling methods, resolves the challenges of multidimensional needs mapping. Based on five user requirements (P), we calculated the corresponding demand weight (K), making the design more aligned with user needs. The device excels in enhancing motion accuracy, interactivity, and comfort, filling the gap in traditional piano assistance devices in terms of multi-functionality and high adaptability, and offering new ideas for the design and promotion of intelligent assistive devices. Simulation analysis, combined with the motion trajectory of the finger’s proximal joint, calculates that 60° is the maximum bending angle for the aforementioned joint. Physical validation confirms the device’s superior performance in terms of reliability and high-precision motion reproduction, meeting the requirements for piano-assisted training. Through multi-domain mapping, the top-down process model, and modular design, this research effectively breaks through the design flexibility and functional adaptability bottleneck of traditional piano assistance devices while integrating neurological rehabilitation with music education, opening up a new application path for intelligent assistive devices in the fields of rehabilitation medicine and arts education, and providing a solution for cross-disciplinary technology fusion and innovative development. Full article

This article reviews all the major stages in the origins of life, from the emergence of matter in the initial Big Bang to the modern, civilized human being. On an immaterial level, it is proposed and explained how consciousness necessarily takes precedence over matter. Next, we explain how consciousness, with its ability to process information, selected the water molecule to breathe life into the periodic table of elements. We also explain why the notion of entropy allows us to evolve, “Die Entropie der Welt strebt einem Maximum zu” (second principle), and, therefore, takes precedence over the notion of energy, which, on the contrary, encourages us to preserve what we have, “Die Energie der Welt bleibt konstant” (first principle). This is followed by a discussion of the importance of quantum coherence and the need to rely on a second quantization formalism for a proper understanding of the physical–biochemical properties of water. Moreover, throughout the argument developed on the best and most fundamental things science has to offer, care is taken to link this knowledge to the great philosophies of the West (Greece), the East (China and India), and even to practices of a shamanic nature (Africa and America). Hence, finally, we propose reconsidering all musical practice within the framework of the diapason of water at a frequency of 429.62 Hz, as well as all therapeutic practice on the basis of seven clearly identified and established frameworks of thought. Full article

Background: Recent studies have shown an association between playing wind instruments and their impact on the orofacial system. However, they have not fully evaluated all aspects of the topic, leaving a gap in the overall understanding. Methods: A thorough search of the National Library of Medicine database was conducted using our research strategy, resulting in the identification of relevant studies. An expert perspective was obtained by conducting two in-depth expert interviews with a professor of horn-playing and a specialised dentist. Results: Thirty-seven relevant publications were included in the traditional literature review. The most common diseases among professional wind instrumentalists include the lip area, temporomandibular joint, oral mucosa, respiratory system, oral allergic reactions, and orofacial trauma. Special measures, preventive measures, and expert opinions were utilised to address and overcome the associated orofacial problems. Conclusions: Wind instruments affect the oral health and tooth movement of professional instrumentalists, and dentists should consider the impact of dental changes on embouchure and performance. Dental impressions and three-dimensional intra-oral scans are important for reconstruction. This research highlights the need for specialised dental care for professional wind instrumentalists, and further studies are necessary to fully explore this topic. Full article

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. Full article

Background: The role of music in the NICU continues to evolve, with recent studies documenting the positive impact of music therapy for hospitalized infants and families. With many potential benefits and no substantial adverse effects reported to date in medically stable infants, we aimed to create a clinical guideline to integrate this therapy into the NICU operations. Methods: we launched and implemented a pilot music therapy clinical program within a subunit of a level-III NICU, building upon available evidence. Results: In this report, we describe our experience with initial program development and early outcomes in terms of population served, frequency of music therapy, and therapeutic modalities employed to implement service delivery. Conclusion: we highlight the importance of establishing practices that are aligned with currently available data and recommendations, in order to facilitate delivery of a safe, evidence-based, meaningful therapeutic experience with monitoring of preliminary effects of the therapy on all those involved in the experience. Full article