Therapeutic Potential of Music-Based Interventions on the Stress Response and Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers in COVID-19: A Review

Abstract

COVID-19 continues to strain healthcare systems around the globe. Research has shown a relationship between COVID-19 and an inflammatory response, including neuropathological outcomes. Additionally, studies have shown positive effects of engagement with music on inflammatory responses; music may have potential, as a method, to reduce inflammation triggered by COVID-19. This review compiles exhaustive research from multiple disciplines to account for this possibility. The authors utilized a meta-narrative approach to complete this review. The search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, OneSearch, Primo, Google Scholar, Clinicaltrials.gov, and the bibliographies of relevant articles. In total, 84 articles were included for full-text review, discussion, and analysis. Articles pertaining to music and acoustics encompassed a date range from 1964–2020. Articles referencing COVID-19 spanned the years 2019–2021. This work focused on associations between engagement with music, stress response, blood-brain barrier integrity, inflammation, COVID-19, and neuropathology in preclinical and clinical models. Detailed analysis revealed that engagement with music has the potential to reduce the harmful effects of COVID-19, particularly in the inflammation and blood clotting pathways associated with a range of pathophysiological and neuropathological issues. Further work is warranted to standardize and validate existing methods associating positive effects of engagement with music on the negative effects of COVID-19.

Music Affects State Anxiety and Brain Connectivity

“…In contemporary times, the ubiquitous smartphone allows individuals to seek, acquire, and play music through loudspeaker units or earphones, typically at their convenience. The use of music can be used to boost self-esteem, reduce stress, anxiety, or depression, or regulate emotion (Harney et al, 2022;Saifman et al, 2023;Shepherd et al, 2023). Approaches to estimating the effectiveness of music to boost well-being can be divided into two gross categories: subjective (i.e., psychometric) responses, in which individuals self-refer, or objective measures (e.g., electrophysiological measurements).…”