Search

Purpose: To evaluate if music characteristics like tempo, harmony, melody, instrumentation, volume, and pitch, as defined by musical theory, are described in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of music-listening on the quantified pain perception of adults, and if these characteristics influence music's overall therapeutic effect., Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating music-listening for pain management on adults was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement. The databases Pubmed, Scopus, SCIELO, SpringerLink, Global Health Library, Cochrane, EMBASE, and LILACS were searched. Studies published between 2004 and 2017 with quantified measurements of pain were included. Quality was evaluated using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology checklist for RCT, and effect sizes were reported with standardized mean differences., Results: A total of 85 studies were included for qualitative analysis but only 56.47% described at least one music characteristic. Overall meta-analysis found a significant effect, with high heterogeneity, of music for pain management (SMD -0.59, I2 = 85%). Only instrumentation characteristics (lack of lyrics, of percussion or of nature sounds), and 60-80 bpm tempo were described sufficiently for analysis. All three instrumentation characteristics had significant effects, but only the lack of lyrics showed an acceptable heterogeneity., Conclusions: Results show that music without lyrics is effective for the management of pain. Due to insufficient data, no ideal music characteristics for the management of pain were identified suggesting that music, as an intervention, needs standardization through an objective language such as that of music theory., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Animal-assisted therapies have become widespread with programs targeting a variety of pathologies and populations. Despite its popularity, it is unclear if this therapy is useful. The aim of this systematic review is to establish the efficacy of Animal assisted therapies in the management of dementia, depression and other conditions in adult population. A search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, ScienceDirect, and Taylor and Francis, OpenGrey, GreyLiteratureReport, ProQuest, and DIALNET. No language or study type filters were applied. Conditions studied included depression, dementia, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, stroke, spinal cord injury, and schizophrenia. Only articles published after the year 2000 using therapies with significant animal involvement were included. 23 articles and dissertations met inclusion criteria. Overall quality was low. The degree of animal interaction significantly influenced outcomes. Results are generally favorable, but more thorough and standardized research should be done to strengthen the existing evidence., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: This study aims to analyze and describe the effects of music listening in the management of pain in adult patients, as reported in systematic reviews and meta-analysis., Methods: A search of articles published between 2004 and 2017 was conducted on Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SCIELO, SpringerLink, Global Health Library, Cochrane, EMBASE and LILACS. Search, quality assessment, and data extraction was done independently by two researchers., Results: Most of reviews found a significant effect of music on pain. All analyses had a high heterogeneity, and only acute pain and music delivered under general anesthesia had moderate heterogeneity. No differences were found when music was chosen by the patient. Music type and its characteristics are scantly described and in terms that lack validity., Conclusions: More focused trials and reviews, objective language for music, and trials with music chosen by its characteristics are required., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)