SynthesisBMJ open2021
Music intervention for sleep quality in critically ill and surgical patients: a meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 47 citations in OpenAlex.
- The effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep quality in lung cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2015-2025).Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Pooled it
- Technology-Based Music Interventions to Reduce Anxiety and Pain Among Patients Undergoing Surgery or Procedures: Systematic Review of the Literature.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Pooled it
- Self-Chosen Music as a Contributor to Music-Induced Analgesia Across Diverse Socio-Cultural Backgrounds: A Crossover Randomised Controlled Trial.European journal of pain (London, England) · 2025Trial
- Music and Sleep Hygiene Interventions for Pregnancy-Related Insomnia: An Online Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of midwifery & women's healthTrial
- Prevalence and Incidence of Oral Benzodiazepine Use in Hospitalized Surgical Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Annals of surgery · 2026Article
- Effect of music therapy on outcomes of critically ill patients.World journal of critical care medicine · 2025Article
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- A multidisciplinary approach on music induced-analgesia differentiated by socio-cultural background in healthy volunteers (MOSART): A cross-over randomized controlled trial protocol.Contemporary clinical trials communications · 2024Article
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- Effect of a music intervention on anxiety in adult critically ill patients: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.Journal of intensive care · 2023Article
- Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveSleep disruption occurs frequently in hospitalised patients. Given the potential of music intervention as a non-pharmacological measure to improve sleep quality, we aimed to assess and quantify current literature on the effect of recorded music interventions on sleep quality and quantity in the adult critical care and surgical populations.
designSystematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Embase, MEDLINE Ovid, Cochrane Central, Web of Science and Google Scholar. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: Randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of music on sleep quality in critically ill and surgical patients.
methodsThe electronic databases were systematically searched from 1 January 1981 to 27 January 2020. Data were screened, extracted and appraised by two independent reviewers. Primary outcomes were sleep quality and quantity, assessed with validated tools. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Random effects meta-analysis was performed, and pooled standardised mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were reported.
resultsFive studies (259 patients) were included in qualitative (risk of bias) and quantitative analysis (meta-analysis). Pooled data showed a significant effect of recorded music on subjective sleep quality in the critical care and surgical population (SMD=1.21 (95% CI 0.50 to 1.91), p<0.01, excluding one non-English study; SMD=0.87 (95% CI 0.45 to 1.29), p<0.01). The SMD of 1.21 corresponded to a 27.1% (95% CI 11.2 to 42.8) increase in subjective sleep quality using validated questionnaires. A significant increase in subjective sleep quantity of 36 min was found in one study. Objective measurements of sleep assessed in one study using polysomnography showed significant increase in deeper sleep stage in the music group.
conclusionsRecorded music showed a significant improvement in subjective sleep quality in some critical care and surgical populations. Therefore, its use may be relevant to improve sleep, but given the moderate potential for bias, further research is needed. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020167783.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.