Study	Reason for exclusion
Arroyo‐Anlló 2013	Not clear whether it is a RCT and the outcome is self‐consciousness.
Ballard 2009	RCT, no music‐based therapeutic intervention. A small proportion of the study sample followed individualised music as an intervention (n = 35). A non‐significant improvement was found on the total CMAI score.
Brotons 2000	Only 4 therapy sessions.
Bruer 2007	RCT, crossover, 8 weeks, comparison of group music therapy to video presentation on cognition (MMSE score). Participants were involved in fewer than 5 sessions.
Bugos 2005	RCT, people with dementia were excluded in this study, focus on healthy older adults (effects of individualized piano instruction on executive functioning and working memory).
Clair 1996	Not clear if participants were randomized; and they participated in fewer than 5 sessions.
Cohen‐Mansfield 2010	Not an RCT, no control group included.
Davidson 2011	Not an RCT, no control group included.
Garland 2007	RCT, crossover, comparing audiotapes with simulated family presence to audiotapes with preferred music and a neutral placebo tape to reduce agitation. Fewer than 5 sessions in each group, in which participants listened to preferred music.
Gerdner 2000	The analyses covered directly observed agitation, probably over the combined sessions (so inclusive of the first 4 sessions).
Groene 1993	The control group received music therapy as well.
Hanser 1994	RCT, participants did not have dementia but depression.
Hicks‐Moore 2008	RCT, comparison of favourite music and hand massage, fewer than 5 sessions.
Hokkanen 2008	RCT, no music therapy, the study involved dance and movement therapeutic methods
Holmes 2006	RCT, comparison of live interactive music, passive pre‐recorded music or silence for 30 minutes in a single session. Fewer than 5 sessions.
Janata 2012	The intervention did not meet our criteria for a therapeutic‐based intervention in which contact with a therapist or facilitator is essential. The intervention created "a musical atmosphere" with music programs streamed to the rooms of individuals assigned to a music group for several hours per day
Noice 2009	RCt, no music therapy: a theatrically based intervention was given to 122 older adults who took lessons twice a week for 4 weeks.
Otto 1999	RCT, participants did not have dementia.
Pomeroy 1993	RCT, music was part of physiotherapy.
Raglio 2008	Quasi‐randomized study.
Riegler 1980	RCT, not clear whether participants were diagnosed with dementia.
Satoh 2014	No music‐based therapeutic intervention, but physical exercise combined with music.
Sung 2006	No music‐based therapeutic intervention, but music with movement intervention.
Särkämö 2014	No music‐based therapeutic intervention, but singing coaching for family caregivers and nurses, and listening to music.
Thompson 2005	RCT, single test moment, music as cue to facilitate performance on a category fluency task. No therapeutic intervention.
Van de Winckel 2004	RCT, no music‐based therapeutic intervention, but music based exercises.
Vanderark 1983	RCT, not clear whether participants were diagnosed with dementia.