Safe and sound: Meta-analyzing the Mozart effect on epilepsy

The use of music-based neuro-stimulation for treating seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges (IED) (the so-called "Mozart effect") remains a controversial issue. We have conducted an updated meta-analysis in order to systematically review literature evidence and provide further insights about the role of the Mozart effect in epilepsy.

Following the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched three bibliographic databases from their date of inception to January 2020. Nine meta-analyses were performed according to both music stimulation protocols and outcome measures. We applied the Cochrane Q-test and the I²-index for heterogeneity evaluation, and either fixed-effect or random-effect models to compute mean differences and pool data.

Of 147 abstracts, 12 studies were included and grouped according to stimulation protocols and outcome measures. The nine meta-analyses showed significant reductions in seizures and IED frequencies after long-term music treatment, and in IED frequency during and after a single music stimulus.

Music-based neurostimulation may improve the clinical outcome of individuals with epilepsy, by reducing the frequency of seizures and IED. Further and stronger evidence will allow defining its potential in the different forms of epilepsy, and the most effective stimulation protocols.

Music therapy should be considered as a complementary, non-invasive approach for treating epilepsy and epileptiform discharges.