The effect of music interventions on anxiety, fear, and pain in hospitalized children: A systematic review…

Meta-analysisJournal of pediatric nursing· 2026

The effect of music interventions on anxiety, fear, and pain in hospitalized children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ebru Akgün Çıtak, Kadriye Demir, Ebru Kılıçarslan

Pediatric Hospital MedicineMeta-analysisQ1IF 2.6

Music interventions markedly reduce anxiety in hospitalized children, meta-analysis finds

The effect of music interventions on anxiety, fear, and pain in hospitalized children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ebru Akgün Çıtak … Ebru Kılıçarslan

Journal of pediatric nursing · 2026 · Q1 in Pediatrics

Background

Hospitalisation can evoke high levels of anxiety, fear, and pain in children, affecting their psychological well-being and recovery.

Purpose

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of music interventions in reducing anxiety, fear, and pain among hospitalized children.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

children had much less anxiety after music interventions than without

SMD -1.01 (95% CI -1.35 to -0.67)

null 0

-1.35

-0.67

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Effect sizes were large across all outcomes, though heterogeneity was moderate to high.

No adverse effects were reported in any of the included studies.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Music interventions are effective in reducing emotional and physical distress in hospitalized children and should be considered as safe and practical adjuncts to pediatric care.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: Music interventions can be effectively integrated into pediatric nursing practice as supportive strategies to reduce children's anxiety, fear, and pain during medical procedures.

The effect of music interventions on anxiety, fear, and pain in hospitalized children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The effect of music interventions on anxiety, fear, and pain in hospitalized children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

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