Study of the Mozart effect in children with epileptic electroencephalograms

To establish if listening to Mozart's Sonata for two pianos in D major (K448) has an anti-epileptic effect on the EEGs (electroencephalograms) of children.

Forty five children (2-18 years; mean 7 years 10 months) who had epileptiform activity on EEG were recruited from those attending for scheduled EEG investigations. Mozart's Sonata for two pianos in D major (K448) and an age-appropriate control music were played during the EEG. There were five consecutive states during the record, each lasting 5 min; before Mozart music (baseline), during Mozart music, after Mozart music/before control music, during control music and after control music. Epileptic discharges were counted manually and the mean frequency of epileptic discharges calculated in each state.

A significant reduction (p < 0.0005) in the frequency of epileptic discharges was found during listening to the Mozart music compared to the baseline. No evidence of a difference in mean epileptic discharges was found between the baseline and the other three states or between listening to the Mozart music and control music.

This study confirms an anti-epileptic effect of Mozart music on the EEG in children, which is not present with control music. The role of 'Mozart therapy' as a treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy warrants further investigation.