The idea that listening to Mozart can have positive effects on mental health was first derived from research findings in the 1990s. Many studies have been done since then, but many of them included a small number of participants or were of varying quality, leading to generally mixed evidence on the subject.
Some of this evidence also meant that the "Mozart Effect" was used by many clinicians to treat some doubts. Now researchers from the University of Pisa have conducted a systematic review of research on the effect of Mozart music on epilepsy.
Working according to accepted standard methods for analyzing clinical treatment, the researchers looked at 147 published research papers and then evaluated things like the relevance and quality of the research. Following this review, they discussed 12 studies that they gathered in 9 separate groups, representing the best available scientific approach to the effect of Mozart's music on epilepsy.
Evaluations have shown that listening to Mozart specifically on a daily basis leads to a significant reduction in epileptic seizures, as well as a reduction in abnormal brain activity in epileptic patients (called interictal epileptiform discharges commonly seen in epileptic patients). These effects, which occurred after a single listening session, persisted after a long treatment period.
This finding is not essentially the first review of the impact of Mozart's music on epilepsy, but since there has been a new stream of research over the past few years, it was important to look back at the overall picture. Because the design of each research differs, for example, while some studies look at a single listening session; others rely on daily listening sessions, so it is not easy to draw a general conclusion.
Epilepsy is a surprisingly common disease, affecting about one in every 100 people worldwide. This prevalence means that epilepsy has significant social and personal costs. Although mostly treated with drugs, these drugs do not work in about 30% of patients, so other treatments should be open to them. According to the researchers, what is important is that these treatments can be tested and shown to work.
The meta-analysis study shows that the duration of listening to Mozart can produce an average reduction in epileptic seizures ranging from 31% to 66%, although this varies from person to person and depending on the musical stimulus used. In the original works on the Mozart Effect, Mozart's song "Sonata for two pianos, K. 448" was used and this piece remained the most used music in the works. Similarly, the K545 piano sonata has been shown to have an effect.
Evaluations have shown that listening to Mozart specifically on a daily basis leads to a significant reduction in epileptic seizures, as well as a reduction in abnormal brain activity in epileptic patients (called interictal epileptiform discharges commonly seen in epileptic patients). These effects, which occurred after a single listening session, persisted after a long treatment period.
This finding is not essentially the first review of the impact of Mozart's music on epilepsy, but since there has been a new stream of research over the past few years, it was important to look back at the overall picture. Because the design of each research differs, for example, while some studies look at a single listening session; others rely on daily listening sessions, so it is not easy to draw a general conclusion.
Epilepsy is a surprisingly common disease, affecting about one in every 100 people worldwide. This prevalence means that epilepsy has significant social and personal costs. Although mostly treated with drugs, these drugs do not work in about 30% of patients, so other treatments should be open to them. According to the researchers, what is important is that these treatments can be tested and shown to work.
The meta-analysis study shows that the duration of listening to Mozart can produce an average reduction in epileptic seizures ranging from 31% to 66%, although this varies from person to person and depending on the musical stimulus used. In the original works on the Mozart Effect, Mozart's song "Sonata for two pianos, K. 448" was used and this piece remained the most used music in the works. Similarly, the K545 piano sonata has been shown to have an effect.
All cultures have a music, so we can say that it satisfies certain psychological needs. According to the researchers, the mechanisms of the Mozart Effect are poorly understood. However, other music may have similar effects, but Mozart's sonatas have distinctive rhythmic structures that are particularly suitable for studying epilepsy. Because of this nature, Mozart's music may stimulate various brain systems, but it should be said that this claim still needs research.
On the other hand, let us remind you that this research is a "review/re-evaluation" and not an original research. Indeed, one thing this study shows is that we need more consistent studies of music's effect on the mind.
On the other hand, let us remind you that this research is a "review/re-evaluation" and not an original research. Indeed, one thing this study shows is that we need more consistent studies of music's effect on the mind.
There is increasing interest in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review reveals that Mozart music can be an effective non-invasive method of neurostimulation and reduces the frequency of epileptic seizures even in difficult-to-treat patients. However, before this method can be used in clinical settings, the precise mechanism of the effect of Mozart music on brain regions must be better understood.