The effects of music on the sleep quality of adults with chronic insomnia using evidence from polysomnographic and self-reported analysis: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND

Research-based evidence supports the therapeutic use of music to improve the sleep quality measured by self-reported questionnaires. However, scientific knowledge of the effects of music measured using standard polysomnography in chronic insomnia adults is currently insufficient.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soothing music on objective and subjective sleep quality in adults with chronic insomnia.

METHODS

Fifty participants were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial conducted in the sleep laboratory of a hospital, with 25 participants allocated to the music group and 25 to the control group. For four days, the experimental group was exposed to soothing music selected by the participants or researchers for 45 min at nocturnal sleep time, whereas the control group was not exposed to music. Sleep was measured using polysomnography (PSG) and self-reported questionnaires. A general estimating equation was applied to analyze the data.

RESULTS

After controlling for baseline data, the music group had significantly better scores for rested rating (p=0.01), shortened stage 2 sleep (p=0.03), and prolonged REM sleep (p=0.04) compared to the control group, shown by the generalized estimating equations. However, there was no evidence of the effectiveness of music on other sleep parameters as measured by PSG. Additional findings indicate no difference in sleep quality between those who listened to their own preferred music (n=10) and those who listened to music selected by the researchers (n=15).

CONCLUSION

The results contribute to knowledge of the effectiveness of music as a therapy to improve sleep quality in adults experiencing insomnia. Listening to soothing music at nocturnal sleep time improved the rested rating scores, shortened stage 2 sleep, and prolonged REM sleep, but has little effect on sleep quality as measured by polysomnography and self-reported questionnaires.