SynthesisNursing in critical care2026
Influence of Music on Cortisol Levels in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review.
Synthesis in Nursing in critical care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMusic has been proposed as a simple, non-invasive intervention to modulate stress responses in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Its potential impact on cortisol levels represents a promising approach to mitigating physiological stress in intensive care.
aimTo examine the effectiveness of music interventions in reducing cortisol levels and, consequently, modulating the stress response in mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units (ICUs). STUDY
designA systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023409196). Five electronic databases were searched without date restrictions. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing music interventions in adult patients receiving IMV, with serum cortisol as the primary outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Owing to substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesised narratively.
resultsFive RCTs (n = 208) met the inclusion criteria. Three reported significant reductions in cortisol following music interventions, while two found no differences. Variability in music type, intervention duration, sedation status and measurement timing contributed to inconsistent results. Risk of bias was low in two studies, whereas three were rated as raising some concerns.
conclusionsCurrent evidence on the effect of music on cortisol in mechanically ventilated patients is limited and inconsistent. Findings remain contradictory, preventing firm conclusions about efficacy. Future multicentre trials with standardised protocols and rigorous control of confounders are required. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review highlights a major gap in evidence regarding the biological impact of music in IMV patients. Results from five small, heterogeneous RCTs are inconclusive, and some of them are limited by methodological concerns. Thus, current evidence is insufficient to support changes in clinical practice. While music remains a low-risk intervention of interest, its actual effect on physiological stress has yet to be demonstrated. Large-scale, high-quality studies are needed before clinical recommendations can be made. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ID: CRD42023409196.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.