• Marianne J E van der Heijden, Sadaf Oliai Araghi, Monique van Dijk, Johannes Jeekel, and M G Myriam Hunink.
• Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
• Plos One. 2015 Jan 1; 10 (8): e0133608.

ObjectiveMusic interventions are widely used, but have not yet gained a place in guidelines for pediatric surgery or pediatric anesthesia. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we examined the effects of music interventions on pain, anxiety and distress in children undergoing invasive surgery.Data SourcesWe searched 25 electronic databases from their first available date until October 2014.Study SelectionIncluded were all randomized controlled trials with a parallel group, crossover or cluster design that included pediatric patients from 1 month to 18 years old undergoing minimally invasive or invasive surgical procedures, and receiving either live music therapy or recorded music.Data Extraction And Synthesis4846 records were retrieved from the searches, 26 full text reports were evaluated and data was extracted by two independent investigators.Main Outcome MeasuresPain was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale, the Coloured Analogue Scale and the Facial Pain Scale. Anxiety and distress were measured with an emotional index scale (not validated), the Spielberger short State Trait Anxiety Inventory and a Facial Affective Scale.ResultsThree RCTs were eligible for inclusion encompassing 196 orthopedic, cardiac and day surgery patients (age of 1 day to 18 years) receiving either live music therapy or recorded music. Overall a statistically significant positive effect was demonstrated on postoperative pain (SMD -1.07; 95%CI-2.08; -0.07) and on anxiety and distress (SMD -0.34 95% CI -0.66; -0.01 and SMD -0.50; 95% CI -0.84; - 0.16.Conclusions And RelevanceThis systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that music interventions may have a statistically significant effect in reducing post-operative pain, anxiety and distress in children undergoing a surgical procedure. Evidence from this review and other reviews suggests music therapy may be considered for clinical use.

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