Effects of music and music video interventions on sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial in adults with sleep disturbances

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effects of music and music video interventions on objective and subjective sleep quality in adults with sleep disturbances.

Design: A randomized controlled trial was performed on 71 adults who were recruited from the outpatient department of a hospital with 1100 beds and randomly assigned to the control, music, and music video groups.

Interventions: During the 4 test days (Days 2-5), for 30min before nocturnal sleep, the music group listened to Buddhist music and the music video group watched Buddhist music videos. They were instructed to not listen/watch to the music/MV on the first night (pretest, Day 1) and the final night (Day 6). The control group received no intervention.

Main outcome measures: Sleep was assessed using a one-channel electroencephalography machine in their homes and self-reported questionnaires.

Results: The music and music video interventions had no effect on any objective sleep parameters, as measured using electroencephalography. However, the music group had significantly longer subjective total sleep time than the music video group did (Wald χ²=6.23, p=0.04).

Conclusion: Our study results increase knowledge regarding music interventions for sleep quality in adults with sleep disturbances. This study suggested that more research is required to strengthen the scientific knowledge of the effects of music intervention on sleep quality in adults with sleep disturbances. (ISRCTN94971645).

Keywords: Electroencephalography; Music; Music videos; Sleep; Sleep disturbances.