Effects of music therapy on anxiety and depression symptoms in adults diagnosed with mental disorders: a systematic review

Objective: To identify and synthesize evidence from randomized clinical trials that assessed the effects of music therapy on anxiety and depression symptoms in adults with mental disorders. Methods: This is a systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol. The search for articles in the MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL Cohcrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO and LILACS databases, as well as manual search, selection of studies, data extraction and methodological assessment using the Jadad Scale and the Cochrane risk-of-bias, was performed by two reviewers independently. Results: 1,649 studies were identified, eight of which were selected and analyzed. The findings showed a positive effect of music therapy on anxiety and depression symptoms in the adult population in different contexts. According to the Cochrane risk-of-bias, four studies were classified as low risk of bias, and the other four as high risk of bias. Adults who received music therapy showed physical and mental relaxation, reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, promoting well-being in a conscious and healthy way. Conclusion: Music therapy presents itself as a potential strategy to reduce anxiety and depression as well as to help maintain and recover the health of adults with mental disorders.