Music listening interventions for physical activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PurposeMusic listening is widely used during exercise, but effects on physical activity are unknown. This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of music listening on physical activity of adults.Materials and methodsSearches were conducted until September 2022. Eligible randomised controlled trials examined intentional music listening to enhance physical activity in adults. Trials were assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The GRADE approach assessed certainty of evidence.ResultsOne high and two low risk-of-bias trials (113 participants, 63-68 years) from cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs were included. Moderate certainty evidence favoured music listening for total amounts of physical activity (n = 112, delta = 0.32, 95% CI = -0.06-0.70) and weekly moderate intensity physical activity (n = 88, MD = 52 min, 95% CI = -8-113). Low certainty evidence favoured music listening for exercise capacity (6-min walk test) (n = 79, MD = 101 metres, 95% CI = 2.32-199.88).ConclusionsThere is imprecise, moderate certainty evidence that music listening increases physical activity by a small amount in older adults. Future research including adults of all ages with and without health conditions might investigate music listening with focussed behaviour change interventions.