title: Effectiveness of music therapy: a summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of music interventions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this review was to summarize evidence for the effectiveness of music therapy (MT) and to assess the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  An SR of SRs based on RCTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included were those with at least one treatment group in which MT was applied. We searched the following databases from 1995 to October 1, 2012: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Web of Science, Global Health Library, and Ichushi-Web. We also searched all Cochrane Database and Campbell Systematic Reviews up to October 1, 2012. Based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, we identified a disease targeted for each article.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one studies met all inclusion criteria. This study included 16 Cochrane reviews. As a whole, the quality of the articles was very good. Eight studies were about "Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-99)"; there were two studies on "Diseases of the nervous system (G00-99)" and "Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-99)"; and there was one study each for "Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-90)", "Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-99)", and "Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O60)". MT treatment improved the following: global and social functioning in schizophrenia and/or serious mental disorders, gait and related activities in Parkinson's disease, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  THIS COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF SRS DEMONSTRATED THAT MT TREATMENT IMPROVED THE FOLLOWING: global and social functioning in schizophrenia and/or serious mental disorders, gait and related activities in Parkinson's disease, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality. MT may have the potential for improving other diseases, but there is not enough evidence at present. Most importantly, no specific adverse effect or harmful phenomenon occurred in any of the studies, and MT was well tolerated by almost all patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Regional Environment Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroharu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamioka
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Policy and Management, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsutani
authors.affiliation: Kyoto University Graduate School Research, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Functioning Activation, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Hyuntae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Mimaki Onsen (Spa) Clinic, Tomi, Nagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okuizumi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Services, Japan College of Social Work, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Koki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsuruoka
authors.affiliation: Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Tomi, Nagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Foundation, Tomi, Nagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Sang-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Shimane, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kitayuguchi
authors.affiliation: Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Shimane, Japan.
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Mimaki Onsen (Spa) Clinic, Tomi, Nagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.affiliation: Social Welfare Service Corporation CARE-PORT MIMAKI, Tomi, Nagano, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oshio
authors.affiliation: The Research Institute of Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiteru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mutoh
keywords: ICD-10; Parkinson’s disease; depression; mental disorders; schizophrenia; sleep