Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41341734›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2025

The effects of music-based interventions on cognitive function in cognitively normal older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

LiJuan Tang, Zan Feng, Yunxu Zhang, Feng Tong

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

LiJuan TangSchool of Humanities, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
Zan FengSchool of Humanities, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
Yunxu ZhangInternational School of Law and Society, Sichuan International Studies University, Chongqing, China.
Feng TongInternational School of Law and Society, Sichuan International Studies University, Chongqing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate whether music-based interventions (MBIs) can improve cognitive function in cognitively normal older adults. Methods: We systematically searched multiple databases through March 2025. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Eligible interventions were structured programs with music as the core component. Participants were cognitively normal adults aged ≥60 years. Primary outcome measures included global cognition, memory, executive function, and attention. A random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize effect sizes. Results: Nine RCTs (total Conclusion: Music-based interventions have positive effects on global cognition, executive function, and memory in cognitively normal older adults, but there is no evidence of improvement in attention. Larger sample sizes and higher-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Indexed as

cognitive functionmeta-analysismusic-based interventionolder adultssystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41341734
PMCPMC12669183

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.