Using Music to Treat Epilepsy in Children: A Review

Abstract

Music is a unique product of human culture. The idea of music having therapeutic effects on human health and behavior is as ancient as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. The therapeutic potential of music has largely been explored in cognitive science. Since the scientific report of the ‘‘Mozart effect’’ was published by Rauscher et al, much attention has been given to the therapeutic role of music in the treatment of human physiology. Although studies about music as a therapeutic option in human epilepsy are limited, emerging evidence has indicated that there may be beneficial effects of music on children with epilepsy. This review aims to summarize the current evidence of music’s potential in treating epilepsy, particularly in children. It includes musical processing in the human brain, the positive effects of music on neurologic function, and music therapy in epileptiform discharges and seizure frequencies. Evidence of short-term and long-term effects on epileptiform discharges and long-term effects on refractory epilepsy is provided. Finally, the role of music components and the potential mechanisms governing the beneficial effects of music are discussed.