Music on Prescription to Aid Sleep Quality: A Literature Review

Abstract

Research on the efficacy of music for improving sleep quality has produced mixed results. We investigated whether the number of music dosages could be a reason for the lack of clarity. Six longitudinal music sleep studies using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) over 3 weeks were identified. Music when compared to active (audiobooks or medication) or passive controls significantly improved (improvement is reflected by a lower score) PSQI within the first or second week of prescription. The improvement was an average mean difference of −1.15 (SD = 0.53) for each week. Music dosages continued to be associated with improved PSQI over a study that had a 3-month music intervention. One study with a low initial PSQI score resulted in poor sleepers (PSQI > 5) achieving healthy sleep (PSQI < 5) within 3 weeks of regular music intervention. For future studies, "prescribing" music beyond 3 weeks may lead to more instances of healthy sleep, particularly for those who have mild sleep problems. To explain the findings, we proposed that the relationship between weeks of music listening and improved PSQI are attributed to the truncation of poor bedtime habits linked to ruminative tendencies and consequent hyperarousal prior to the music intervention. Music listening at bedtime replaces those bad habits, we argue, by forming a new psychological link between bedtime and sleep through evaluative conditioning. The findings of the present study provide disarming evidence of the potential for prescription of music for treating mild sleep disorder.

An Investigation into the Relationship Between Musical Imagery and Anxiety

“…Another finding regarding anxiety and musical imagery was the link between high trait anxiety and the frequency of music imagined whilst trying to sleep. This may be explained by the association of poor sleep quality with high levels of anxiety (Gray & Lemke, 2017; Norbury & Evans, 2019) contributing towards hyperarousal (Dickson & Schubert, 2020) and musical imagery. Additionally, Scullin et al (2021) provide evidence from questionnaire data showing that involuntary musical imagery experienced during the sleeping period is more likely to result in poor sleep quality.…”

Music, sleep, and depression: An interview study

“…and the impact of preference is paramount. The impact of preference and familiarity has been investigated in several studies (Dickson & Schubert, 2020;Groarke et al, 2020;K. Jespersen et al, 2015;Loewy, 2020a;MacDonald et al, 2012b;Saarikallio et al, 2017;Tan et al, 2012;Trahan et al, 2018) Trahan et al argue that varying music may apply to varying aims i.e.…”

“…Bedtime habits play a role in sleep hygiene (Dickson et al, 2020). The role of habits in relation to sleep was investigated as music listening may influence and become a part of bedtime routine.…”

“…A recent literature review investigating music on prescription for treating sleeping problems reports a higher effect of music than audiobooks and suggests an improved quality of sleep with increased exposure. The authors conclude that the effect of music is unexplainable “there are some peculiarly mysterious effects of music that science has yet to address” (Dickson & Schubert, 2020).…”

The Effect of University Students' Music Type Preferences on Physical Activity, Depression and Sleep Quality

“…Müzik kullanılarak yapılan girişimlerin uyku problemlerinde avantajlar sağladığı da literatürde gösterilmiştir. Müzik dinlemek uyku kalitesini geliştirmede kolay, pratik ve ucuz olan ve yan etkisi olmayan bir yöntemdir (Dickson ve Schubert, 2020;Feng vd., 2018;Firdaus vd., 2020). Üniversite öğrencilerinde müzik tercihi ve uyku kalitesi, depresyon arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyen çalışmalar literatürde çok sınırlıdır.…”