Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Managing Stress and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background. Pregnancy is a critical period during which anxiety and stress may adversely affect both the mother and the foetus. Music therapy, a non-pharmacological intervention, provides a safe alternative to enhance emotional and physical well-being, circumventing the side effects associated with pharmacological treatments. This study critically examines the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety among pregnant women, aiming to guide its clinical application and inform future research.  Objectives. The primary objective was to critically evaluate the evidence regarding the efficacy of music therapy in alleviating anxiety in pregnant women and to offer recommendations for clinical practice and further research.  Methods. A systematic review was conducted, searching international databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Articles published between 2014 and 2024 that assessed the impact of music therapy on pregnant women, with a focus on anxiety reduction and related parameters, were selected for inclusion. Results. The majority of studies demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety and stress levels among pregnant women following music therapy sessions, accompanied by improvements in physiological parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate, indicating both emotional and physiological benefits. Conclusion. Music therapy emerges as an effective intervention for mitigating anxiety during pregnancy. Nevertheless, further research with larger sample sizes and standardised methodologies is needed to confirm and generalise these findings, thereby strengthening its integration into clinical practice.