Table 5. Characteristics and themes of qualitative studies about effects of mt/mbi on patients with substance use disorders.

Study	Type of intervention	Frequency/ duration	Population/ Setting	Measurement tools	Topics/ Themes
Abdollahnejad [55]	MBI (unclear) Lyric analysis, song sharing	25 sessions, 45 min	Therapeutic Community for drug users Iran N = 20 m Age: 20–50	• Behavior during the sessions (video tape)	• Increased talking about important issues (e.g., relationships) • Indirect expression of thoughts and feelings • Increased exchange of opinions and experiences • Close interaction between group members (learning about each other, problem solving) • Participants were highly interested • Nostalgic experiences with music related to previous drug abuse
Baker et al.[66]	MT Songwriting	Once a week	Inpatient substance abuse treatment N = 5 (40% m) Age: early 20 to middle-aged 60% amp, 40% alcohol	• Reaction during the session • Lyric analysis	• Incidental rebellion • Lengthy process of group problem solving, personal reflection, reevaluation • Clear engagement (declined smoking break) • Safe medium for the expression of negative emotions • Humor
Eagle[60]	MT Listening to music (during LSD therapy)	5 times per day, 30 min each,	Inpatient alcohol abuse treatment USA N = 16 m Age: 34–59 100% alcohol	• Behavioral observations with therapist’s notes (structured case studies)	• Importance of familiar music • Important contents: Religion and love • Nonverbal communication through music between patients and therapist • “Music “guides” patients’ experiences through the LSD therapy sessions.” (p. 35)
Liebowitz et al.[57]	MBI (vocal performance majors) Choral music program	Once a week, 75 min Quarterly performance	Residential facility for homeless veterans with SUD Southwestern USA N = 6 (66.7% m)	• Individual semi-structured interviews ○ Duration of the association with the study site ○ Duration of the participation in the choir ○ How learned about choir ○ Expectations ○ Experiences ○ Interaction with the context ○ Impact on relationships ○ What they would tell other veterans about the choir	• Personal motivations ○ Opportunities to meet other residents ○ Affinity to singing ○ Diversion their attention from other contents ○ Opportunity to learn (singing, music) ○ Personal challenge • Emotions linked to participation ○ Anxiety ○ Enjoyment ○ Elevating effect on mood, relaxing • Perceived intragroup dynamics ○ Belonging, commitment to the choir ○ Support, enhanced performance
Rio[59]	MT Improvisational music	Once a week, 2h 10 months data collection	Church-based shelter with Choirhouse church choir USA N = 3 m consistent members Age: 26, 45, 55 (M = 42) 66% polydrug 33% cocaine	• Behavior during the sessions (video tape, session notes, personal journal, audio tapes) • Individual semi-structured interviews in the first month ○ History, interest in music ○ Feelings, thoughts ○ Relationships ○ Music ○ Substance abuse ○ Medical, mental health issues	• Consistent attendance and intense involvement of the core group members • Identified themes: ○ Emotional expression (grief and loss, joy, state of being) ○ Beauty and spirituality (aesthetic, character, faith, altered states) ○ Relationships (support, closeness, difficulty, connecting) ○ Story (history, metaphor, shared experiences) ○ Structure (boundaries, traits, music) ○ Create/Risk (making music, void) ○ Health (psychological, physical/cognitive)
Zanker & Glatt [58]	MBI (artists of Council for music) Music listening	Twice a week, 30 min	Inpatient mental hospital UK Alcoholics and narcotics	• Questionnaires about individual attitude towards music and mood after listening	• Diversity and subjectivity of reactions to music • Expression of emotions through music • Group cohesion dependent on personality • Reactions to music can reflect personality aspects • Congruity between mood states and intrinsic character of music linked to improvement of clinical status and long-term outcomes • Music may serve as diagnostic tool (projection of mood into music)

For music-based intervention (MBI) studies, persons conducting the sessions are listed in brackets. MBI = music- based interventions; MT = music therapy.