A systematic review and meta-analysis of music therapy for the older adults with depression.
To determine the efficacy of music therapy in the management of depression in the elderly.



We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Change in depressive symptoms was measured with various scales. Standardized mean differences were calculated for each therapy-control contrast.



A comprehensive search yielded 2,692 citations; 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis suggests that music therapy plus standard treatment has statistical significance in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults (standardized mean differences = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.87, 1.17).



This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that music therapy has an effect on reducing depressive symptoms to some extent. However, high-quality trials evaluating the effects of music therapy on depression are required. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence-based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.|The Second Clinic School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
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K
Zhao
Evidence-based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China. baizhenggang@126.com.
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ZG
Bai
Silver School of Social Work, New York University, NY, USA.
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A
Bo
School of Social Work, University of Southern California, LA, CA, USA.
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Chi
D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
late-life depression; meta-analysis; music therapy