Dear Editor,
We read with great interest the article by Tharwani et al, titled “Effects of music therapy on anxiety among patients undergoing cardiac procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis”[1]. In line with the 2025 TITAN guidelines (Transparency In The reporting of Artificial INtelligence)[2], we disclose the use of AI-assisted editing tools to improve language clarity and coherence in this commentary.
The authors present a well-conducted synthesis of available literature and convincingly demonstrate the beneficial effects of music therapy on peri-procedural anxiety in cardiac patients. Their findings are timely and relevant, especially in the context of the growing emphasis on holistic, patient-centered approaches in cardiovascular care. By pooling data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the authors provide robust quantitative support for music therapy’s anxiolytic potential, highlighting its value as a safe, cost-effective adjunct to conventional care. However, several aspects warrant further discussion:
1. Heterogeneity and Intervention Variability
The included studies varied significantly in music type, duration, timing, and anxiety assessment tools. This heterogeneity challenges the reproducibility and standardization of music therapy protocols[3]. Future trials should define core intervention parameters such as genre, exposure time, and delivery mode (live vs. recorded) to support consistent application in clinical practice.
2. Cultural and Individual Preferences
Music is inherently subjective, shaped by cultural, emotional, and personal factors[4]. While the meta-analysis confirms general efficacy, therapeutic benefit may vary depending on individual preferences. Stratifying outcomes by demographic or cultural background in future analyses could help identify subgroups who may benefit most.
3. Clinical Integration and Translation to Outcomes
Although anxiety score reduction is encouraging, translating these findings into routine practice requires evaluating effects on procedural endpoints, such as sedation needs, hemodynamic stability, recovery time, and patient satisfaction. A more detailed discussion of these aspects would enhance the study’s clinical relevance.
4. Long-Term Effects and Follow-Up
Most included studies assessed anxiety immediately before or after procedures, limiting insight into long-term psychological benefits[5]. Future research should assess post-discharge anxiety levels and rehabilitation adherence to determine whether the benefits of music therapy extend beyond the immediate perioperative period.
5. Implementation Challenges
Despite its non-invasive nature, the integration of music therapy into clinical workflows may encounter logistical barriers such as staff training, patient consent, equipment availability, and time constraints. Addressing these practical considerations is essential for widespread adoption.
In conclusion, Tharwani et al provide a valuable and methodologically sound contribution to the literature. Music therapy holds significant promise as a supportive modality in cardiac care. However, further high-quality, standardized trials with broader outcome measures are needed to fully harness and integrate its therapeutic potential into clinical practice.
Footnotes
Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.
Published online 30 July 2025
Contributor Information
Asadollah Shakeri, Email: Shakeria@zaums.ac.ir.
Nazli Farnoosh, Email: m41804991@gmail.com.
Aidin Shakeri, Email: Shakeria@zaums.ac.ir.
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None.
Author contributions
A.S., N.F.: writing and editing the draft. A.S.: study design, data collection, writing and editing the draft. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest disclosure
The authors have no conflict of interest.
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All the authors of this paper accept full responsibility for the work and/or the conduct of the study, had access to the data, and controlled the decision to publish.
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Data availability statement
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References
- [1].Tharwani ZH, Kumar P, Kumar A, et al. Effects of music therapy on anxiety among patients undergoing cardiac procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med Surg 2025;87:2904–13. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- [2].Agha RA, Mathew G, Rashid R, et al. Transparency in the reporting of Artificial INtelligence – the TITAN guideline. Premier J Sci 2025;10:100082. [Google Scholar]
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- [4].Gómez-Cañón JS, Cano E, Eerola T, et al. Music emotion recognition: toward new, robust standards in personalized and context-sensitive applications. IEEE Signal Process Mag 2021;38:106–14. [Google Scholar]
- [5].De Witte M, Pinho AD, Stams GJ, et al. Music therapy for stress reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Psychol Rev 2022;16:134–59. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.