title: Do asthmatics benefit from music therapy? A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of music therapy in asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches for experimental and observational studies published between 01.01.92 and 31.12.13 were conducted through electronic databases: Medline/PubMed, Embase, SportDiscus, Cochrane Library, Teacher Reference Centre, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PEDro and Scopus. The selection criteria included any method of music therapy applied to patients with asthma, with respect to asthma symptoms and lung function. Two reviewers screened the records independently. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Strength of recommendation was graded according to GRADE recommendation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search identified 867 citations, from which 8 (three RCTs and five nRCTs) low and high risk of bias studies were included in the review. All RCTs used music listening as a form of complementary treatment. One RCT of the low risk of bias indicated positive effects on lung function in mild asthma. In two others, despite the decrease in asthma symptoms, music was not more effective than the control condition. In two nRCTs a decrease in asthma symptoms was reported as an effect of playing a brass or wind instrument; in two nRCTs the same effect was observed after music assisted vocal breathing exercises and singing. Mood improvement, decrease of depression and anxiety were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paucity, heterogeneity, and significant methodological limitations of available studies allow for only a weak recommendation for music therapy in asthma. This study highlights the need for further research of mixed methodology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland; Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital, Cracow, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszka.sliwka@uj.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sliwka
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Cracow, Poland; Unit of Rehabilitation in Internal Diseases, Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Motor Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wloch
authors.affiliation: University School of Physical Education in Krakow, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tynor
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland; Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital, Cracow, Poland.
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nowobilski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009147:Music Therapy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asthma; Complementary medicine; Music therapy