Efficacy of Music Therapy on Hypertensive Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hu Gao , Jie Ren , Fajuann Tang , Shanshan Wu , Zhuan Zou , Bin Chen , Xihong Li
Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (1) : e70108
Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of music intervention as a non-pharmacological approach for improving physiological and psychological outcomes in patients with hypertension through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, Wanfang Data, and CNKI for RCTs investigating the effects of music therapy on blood pressure, heart rate (HR), anxiety, and depression in hypertensive adults. Data were pooled using random-effects models, and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The robustness of findings was assessed via sensitivity analysis, and publication bias was evaluated using Egger's and Begg's tests.
Results: Twenty-one RCTs involving 1436 participants were included. Meta-analysis revealed that music intervention significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD = −8.26 mmHg, 95% CI: −10.56 to −5.96), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD = −5.91 mmHg, 95% CI: −8.03 to −3.79), HR (WMD = −4.17, 95% CI: −7.22 to −1.12), anxiety levels (measured by Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, SAS) (WMD = −5.22, 95% CI: −7.03 to −3.40), and depression levels (measured by Self-Rating Depression Scale, SDS) (WMD = −7.12, 95% CI: −10.27 to −3.98). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of these findings, and statistical tests showed no significant publication bias for primary outcomes.
Conclusion: Music therapy is an effective complementary intervention for reducing blood pressure, HR, anxiety, and depression in hypertensive patients. Personalized music selections and longer intervention sessions may enhance efficacy. Future research should focus on standardizing intervention protocols, clarifying underlying mechanisms, and exploring long-term efficacy.
anxiety / blood pressure / depression / heart rate / hypertension / meta-analysis / music therapy, randomized controlled trials
2026 Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.
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