Search Results (38)

Listening to music is a well-established strategy to enhance exercise capacity, yet the specific mechanisms linking music choice to performance enhancement remain fragmented. This scoping review systematically summarizes the existing literature on the effects of music choice (i.e., self-selected, preferred music) on performance and psychophysiological determinants of exercise capacity to establish an updated rationale for the use of personalized music interventions in training. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL) was performed for studies published between January 2000 and April 2025. Peer-reviewed articles investigating the ergogenic effects of self-selected or preferred music with psychophysiological outcomes were included. Thirty-two studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, evidence supports consistent performance enhancement from choice music (CM) across modes of exercise including aerobic endurance, anaerobic power, and muscular endurance activities while maximal strength was largely unaffected. The most robust and consistent mechanisms underpinning the benefits of CM during exercise were psychological in nature, including improvements in affect, arousal, motivation, and perception of exertion. Notable physiologic benefits were also identified, including altered cortical excitability, autonomic modulation, and improvements in neuromuscular efficiency. Herein, this review provides a psychophysiological framework whereby CM acts as a primary mediator to induce psychological and physiological cascades which synergistically contribute to ergogenic benefits. Evidence heavily supports the superiority of CM to improve exercise performance across various modalities. Full article

Over the years, the impact of music on the prenatal and neonatal stages of human life has gained significant scientific attention. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric review of research investigating how music influences fetal and newborn development. Using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, a search of relevant studies published in English between January 2006 and July 2025 was conducted, whose basic criterion was the use of the following keywords: “music” and “fetus” or “fetal”. Additional terms such as “fetus development”, “fetus heart rate”, “fetus movement”, “mother–fetus relationship”, “newborn”, etc., were also utilized. In result, 75 publications were selected, and their bibliographic data and full sources were retrieved. The included studies were grouped according to two perspectives that consider the impact of music (1) on the development of the fetus and the newborn, and (2) on maternal health and mother–fetus bonding. Using VOSviewer, bibliometric mapping was performed, which allowed to obtain keyword co-occurrence network and co-authorship network. The chosen literature was then quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The analysis revealed a sharp upward trend in publications starting in 2015, with a temporary decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest number of publications were from Iran. The most investigated topics were related to the fetus heart and maternal health. The most common publication type and research methodology were, respectively, article and experiment. While the key authors Lordier, L., Filippa, M., Grandjean, D., and Monaci, M.G. lead the field, the co-authorship network remains fragmented into isolated and relatively small research groups. The Journal of Maternal–Fetal and Neonatal Medicine emerged as the leading publication outlet, while the study by Graven et al. entitled “Auditory Development in the Fetus and Infant” remains the most cited work. The keyword co-occurrence network allowed the identification of three main thematic clusters indicating the physiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of the impact of music on fetal and neonatal development. A qualitative analysis revealed that music plays a vital role in early human development and maternal well-being, demonstrating positive effects of auditory stimuli on fetal and newborn physiology, as well as on the mother–fetus relationship, while being a non-invasive and non-pharmacological method of intervention. However, the lack of a fully connected global research community and standardized protocols for, e.g., choosing the musical repertoire, sound administration, and the duration of exposure suggests the need for increased international collaboration to further integrate music therapy into standard clinical practices for prenatal and neonatal care. Full article

Background: Dental anxiety is a common challenge in paediatric dentistry, often leading to avoidance of treatment and compromised oral health. Non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy have gained increasing attention as safe and cost-effective alternatives to pharmacological approaches. Although several clinical studies have examined the impact of music on children’s dental anxiety, the evidence has not yet been systematically summarised with quantitative synthesis. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing dental anxiety and fear among paediatric patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to August 2025. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating music therapy for dental anxiety in children were included. Primary outcomes were self-reported dental anxiety/fear scales and physiological measures (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation). Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB 2, version 2019; Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK) Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model with Review Manager (RevMan, version 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK). Results: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 476 children aged 4–14 years were included. Music therapy significantly reduced self-re-ported dental anxiety compared with control groups (SMD = −0.48, 95% CI: −0.72 to −0.25, p < 0.001). Heart rate was also significantly reduced (SMD = −0.42, 95% CI: −0.68 to −0.16, p = 0.002), whereas changes in blood pressure and oxygen saturation were not statistically significant. The overall risk of bias was moderate, with most concerns related to blinding. Conclusions: Music therapy is an effective non-pharmacological intervention to reduce dental anxiety in children, particularly improving subjective anxiety and physiological arousal as measured by heart rate. Its integration into paediatric dental practice may enhance cooperation and treatment outcomes, offering a safe, inexpensive, and child-friendly approach. Full article

Background and Objectives: Music therapy has a long tradition in palliative care, and recent studies have investigated its Neuro-Psycho-Endocrine-Immunological (NPEI) effects in terminally ill patients. Despite numerous published articles, there is a lack of a compendium connecting the physiological basis of music therapy with the specific musical elements most effective in end-of-life settings. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the physiological mechanisms underlying responses to music, with a focus on terminal patients and implications for nursing practice. Materials and Methods: For quality and possible reproducibility, a narrative review was conducted in accordance with Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines. The review targeted articles from the past five years indexed in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycInfo, supplemented by additional relevant references identified through manual searching. The PICOS framework was performed to structure the search strategy and study selection, focusing on studies relevant to the biological effects of music therapy in end-of-life care and their practical implications for nursing care. Results: The neurophysiology of music perception in terminal patients is complex, involving a wide array of clinical and cultural factors. Key musical elements—such as rhythm, melody, harmony, tempo, and mode—can influence physiological and psycho-emotional responses. Music therapy interventions, when tailored to the individual’s preferences and cultural background, may modulate parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormone levels, and pain perception. Evidence supports the need for individualized approaches and highlights the NPEI rationale for integrating music therapy into end-of-life care. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of the scientific mechanisms discussed in this narrative review can enhance the effectiveness of music therapy interventions in end-of-life settings. Nursing practice can benefit by integrating evidence-based selection of musical pieces and personalizing interventions to the clinical and cultural profile of each patient. Further interdisciplinary research is needed to establish standardized criteria for music therapy in palliative care and to optimize outcomes for terminally ill patients. Full article

Background: The increasing demand for care in hospital settings, often at a high intensity, requires organizing work according to 24 h shifts. Nevertheless, shift work (SW), especially at night, alters the circadian rhythm, negatively affecting the psychophysical health of nurses, compromising their quality of life, and jeopardizing patient safety. Shift-work-related diseases (SWDs) can arise from these disruptions. Methods: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of several types of medical, psychotherapeutic, and educational interventions and strategies on shift-work-related diseases (SWDs). The databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched using the MESH terms “shift work” and “nurses” from January 2015 to March 2025. A total of 43 articles were included in the final analysis. Results: Quantitative findings from the studies showed, for example, improvements in sleep quality scores ranging from 15% to 40% with optimized shift planning, reductions in fatigue scores by 20–35% through strategic napping, and moderate effect sizes for light therapy interventions. Physical activity and relaxation techniques were associated with a 10–25% improvement in subjective well-being indices, while meal timing interventions led to reductions in gastrointestinal symptom prevalence by up to 18%. The selected articles were discussed by dividing them according to the type of intervention applied to shift nurses, namely improvement of shift planning, light and temperature modulation, introduction of napping, supplementation, meal management, psychotherapy, sleep education, physical activity, relaxation techniques and yoga, music therapy, and aromatherapy. This categorization was performed to highlight the range of strategies tested and their relative quantitative impact. Conclusions: There is evidence that SWDs can be mitigated through targeted interventions and strategies. The limitations of the studies examined include small sample sizes, extreme heterogeneity of follow-up, the few numbers of randomized controlled trials, and the prevalence of female or Intensive Care Unit nurses in study samples. Further research should focus on large-scale randomized controlled trials, multicenter longitudinal studies, and the evaluation of the most promising interventions—particularly light therapy, optimized shift scheduling, and structured napping protocols—to assess their long-term efficacy and generalizability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family caregivers in palliative care often face complex physical, emotional, and logistical challenges, which can result in a significant caregiving burden. Dyadic interventions—designed to support both the patient and the caregiver simultaneously—have emerged as a promising holistic approach to enhancing well-being and quality of life. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of dyadic support interventions in reducing caregiver burden among middle-aged and older adults receiving palliative care. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across five databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for grey literature) covering the period from 2019 to January 2025. Results: Of 653 records identified, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were typically delivered by multidisciplinary teams and included weekly in-person consultations, telephone follow-up, telemedicine, physical exercise sessions, laughter therapy, and music therapy over durations ranging from 16 weeks to 6 months. These programs resulted in reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms (PHQ-4, HADS, SDS, BAI, SAS), improved functional and social performance (SF-36), and/or enhanced quality of life (MQLQ, QOL-AD, KCCQ-12, EORTC QLQ-C30). In patients, they contributed to better symptom control (ESAS, CFS), while in caregivers, they effectively reduced burden (ZBI-12, FCBSI, CBI) and/or supported the anticipatory grief process (PGQ, AGS). However, not all studies reported consistently positive outcomes. Conclusions: Structured dyadic interventions that involve both patients and caregivers significantly improve outcomes in palliative care for middle-aged and older adults. Future research should examine their long-term impact and explore the integration of artificial intelligence to optimize intervention delivery. 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

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) being a primary treatment for intermediate-stage disease. However, post-procedural pain remains a significant challenge due to inconsistent management practices and a lack of standardised protocols. This scoping review synthesises current evidence on pain management strategies in HCC patients undergoing TACE, evaluates their effectiveness, identifies practice gaps, and proposes optimisation strategies. Methods: A comprehensive database search according to the methodological approach given by Arksey and O’Malley with the aid of the PRISMA-ScR guidelines across Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus was performed. The terms associated with pain, TACE, and liver cancer were included in the search strategy. Two independent researchers systematically screened study titles, abstracts, and full texts and extracted key study characteristics and approaches to pain management. Results: Of 1515 identified studies, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Most (72.7%) focused on pharmacological interventions, with dexamethasone and lidocaine being the most frequently investigated agents. Non-pharmacological approaches, including psychological interventions, physical therapies, music therapy, health education, and comprehensive nursing, were also reported. Pain was primarily assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS). Conclusions: Pharmacological interventions, particularly dexamethasone and lidocaine, remain the cornerstone of pain management in TACE, yet consensus on their optimal use is lacking. Non-pharmacological strategies provide complementary benefits. standardised, evidence-based pain management protocols integrating both approaches are needed. Future large-scale, multicentre trials are essential to establish the most effective strategies for optimising patient outcomes. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) tools and the creative abilities of music practitioners within the context of globalization and technological advancements that are transforming creative industries. Through a quantitative analysis, the study assesses how AI tool usage influences creative output. By surveying music practitioners from diverse backgrounds, it captures their experiences and perceptions of AI technologies in music creation. Grounded in cognitive science and diffusion of innovation theories, the research also empirically examines the relationship between AI technology acceptance and creativity perception, while considering the role of socioeconomic factors. Regression analysis was used to explore the relationships between key variables, ensuring robust and reliable results. The results suggest that AI technology acceptance is significantly correlated with creative performance, particularly among individuals with formal music education and experience using music composition software. However, socioeconomic factors such as age, gender, and professional background also influence how extensively AI is utilized in the creative process. These findings provide new insights into AI’s role in creative industries and offer data to inform music education and technology training policies. 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: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health issues of the 21st century, significantly impacting individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Within higher education research, academic anxiety is particularly significant, as it encompasses the specific anxieties students face within academic environments, such as exams and public speaking. This study aims to provide a contemporary overview of academic anxiety within Spanish universities by addressing three key questions: (1) How has research on academic anxiety evolved in Spain? (2) What tools have been used to measure academic anxiety? (3) What factors and variables have been analyzed in relation to academic anxiety, and what are the main findings? Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines for study selection, data extraction, and synthesis. The analysis focused on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases, examining 25 eligible articles published before January 2023. The objective was to evaluate, organize, and synthesize the evidence presented in these articles. Results: The findings revealed that the majority of studies were conducted in the last decade, employing 20 distinct measurement tools and examining more than 40 associated variables. The academic anxieties investigated included various types such as test anxiety, language learning anxiety, math anxiety, public speaking anxiety, and discipline-specific anxieties like dissection or music performance anxiety. Additionally, the studies explored the relationships between these academic anxieties and other variables such as gender and age. Conclusions: The implications of these findings for education and potential avenues for future research are discussed. Full article

The aim of this systematic review was to summarise and evaluate the published literature on interventions for treating music performance anxiety (MPA). Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search of three electronic databases was conducted: PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychInfo (Ovid). Records were included in this review if they were quantitative pre–post interventional studies that utilised a recognised outcome measure or a clinical diagnosis for evaluating MPA. A narrative synthesis was orchestrated on 40 extracted studies assessing 1365 total participants. The principal intervention types observed included cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, music therapy, yoga and/or mindfulness, virtual reality, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and multimodal therapy. Although most of the reviewed studies demonstrated encouraging improvements in musicians’ MPA following delivered interventions, the current evidence base remains in its infancy, and numerous methodological weaknesses exist across studies. Small sample sizes, heterogeneity amongst treatment programmes, lack of follow-up data, a scarcity of standardised MPA assessments, and few randomised controlled designs render it imprudent to draw definitive recommendations concerning the interventions’ efficacy. Full article

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting both children and adults, which often leads to significant difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and working memory. These challenges can impact various cognitive and perceptual domains, including music perception and performance. Despite these difficulties, individuals with ADHD frequently engage with music, and previous research has shown that music listening can serve as a means of increasing stimulation and self-regulation. Moreover, music therapy has been explored as a potential treatment option for individuals with ADHD. As there is a lack of integrative reviews on the interaction between ADHD and music, the present review aimed to fill the gap in research. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across PsychInfo (Ovid), PubMed, and Web of Science. A narrative synthesis was conducted on 20 eligible studies published between 1981 and 2023, involving 1170 participants, of whom 830 had ADHD or ADD. The review identified three main areas of research: (1) music performance and processing in individuals with ADHD, (2) the use of music listening as a source of stimulation for those with ADHD, and (3) music-based interventions aimed at mitigating ADHD symptoms. The analysis revealed that individuals with ADHD often experience unique challenges in musical tasks, particularly those related to timing, rhythm, and complex auditory stimuli perception, though these deficits did not extend to rhythmic improvisation and musical expression. Most studies indicated that music listening positively affects various domains for individuals with ADHD. Furthermore, most studies of music therapy found that it can generate significant benefits for individuals with ADHD. The strength of these findings, however, was limited by inconsistencies among the studies, such as variations in ADHD diagnosis, comorbidities, medication use, and gender. Despite these limitations, this review provides a valuable foundation for future research on the interaction between ADHD and music. Full article

Background/Objectives: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technique for women and couples experiencing difficulties in achieving a spontaneous pregnancy, often due to stressors that negatively affect fertility. Humor can be beneficial in these stressful situations, helping to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The primary aim was to analyze the effectiveness of laughter therapy in increasing pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF. The secondary aims were to identify different types of laughter therapy interventions and evaluate their benefits. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cinahl, ProQuest and Lilacs, with the search terms “laughter”, “laughter therapy”, “fertilization in vitro” and “fertilization”. Intervention studies published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were included, with no limits on the date of publication. Studies with other designs, those conducted with animals and grey literature were excluded. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Results: In total, n = 3 studies (1 randomized clinical trial and 2 quasi-experimental) were included, evaluating pregnancy rates and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The interventions included clowns performing magic tricks and interpreting comic situations. Additionally, they incorporated hand clapping, breathing exercises, childlike playfulness, drinking milk, muscle relaxation exercises, candles, and music. Conclusions: This review does not provide clear evidence on the effectiveness of laughter therapy in increasing pregnancy success in IVF. Although it may have some positive effects in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, it is important to note that while the reduction of these symptoms may enhance the emotional well-being of patients, it has not been demonstrated to directly lead to an increase in pregnancy rates. Laughter therapy is an innovative, non-pharmacological intervention that is simple, non-invasive, easy to implement and cost-effective; however, the number of available studies is insufficient. More research is needed to provide better and higher-quality evidence using rigorous designs to evaluate this intervention in IVF clinical practice. Full article

Since ancient times, music has been instrumental in giving life to the stories we build our identities and cultures around. I will examine how, in our time, music creates new myths by creating its own heroes and heroines through capital and the star system. In traditional literary and cultural analysis, a distinction was drawn between the natural and the supernatural when discussing literary mythology; in the twentieth century, an equivalent distinction was made in works of art that, in Baudrillard’s terminology, make use of the realms of the real and the “hyperreal” (1981). In today’s mythmaking, the supernatural has been largely replaced by the technological, and recent developments blur the line between science fiction and fantasy; tech has become megalotech. A recent episode of the television series Black Mirror, “Rachel, Jack, and Ashley Too” (2019), explores these concepts with an examination of the pros and cons of replacing human performers with AI simulacra. Full article