Music Intervention for Anxiety and Pain During Breast Biopsy Procedures: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Introduction:

Breast biopsies often cause anxiety and pain that influence patients’ experience and procedure outcomes. Music interventions offer a practical alternative to pharmacological methods for reducing these effects.

Methods:

We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of music during breast biopsies. We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL Library, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to May 2025. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing music interventions with routine care without music intervention. The primary outcomes were anxiety and pain scores; secondary outcomes assessed changes in these scores before and after the procedure. We calculated standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model.

Results:

Seven RCTs with 606 participants met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of participants was 50.8 years. Anxiety scores were significantly lower in the music group compared with controls (SMD = –0.22, 95% CI: –0.38 to –0.06, p < 0.05, I² = 0%). Anxiety reduction from pre- to postprocedure was also greater with music (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07–0.44, p < 0.05, I² = 0%). However, pain scores did not differ significantly (SMD = –0.33, 95% CI: –0.83 to 0.17, p > 0.05, I² = 82%).

Conclusion:

Music interventions were associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in anxiety during breast biopsy procedures, but no significant reduction in pain. These findings support music as a safe, nonpharmacological option to improve patient experience, particularly with respect to procedural anxiety.