Music-based interventions and maternal mental health in the postpartum period: A mixed-studies systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The transition to motherhood can be stressful. Music-based intervention can help alleviate stress. However, it is underexplored in this field.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to consolidate and synthesize findings on the available evidence of music-based interventions and maternal mental health among women with healthy term infants in the postpartum period.

SEARCH STRATEGY: This is a mixed-studies systematic review. The search strategy included PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations from inception to April 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Women with healthy-term infants were included. Phenomena of interest include the experiences of music-based intervention that can be classified into two categories: Active intervention (e.g., creating music, playing an instrument, singing, or musical improvisation), or receptive intervention (e.g., listening to music).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Thematic synthesis was conducted. Studies were appraised using the mixed method appraisal tool.

MAIN RESULTS: Eleven articles were included. Thematic synthesis identified an overarching theme as "Music-a lifeline to better maternal mental health." This was pillared by three themes: (1) Psycho-social impact of music-based interventions, (2) influences of music on mother-infant relationships, and (3) the way forward for music-based interventions. Music-based interventions have mixed influences on symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. However, they can alleviate maternal mood, increase the sense of accomplishment, and strengthen mother-infant attachment. This is especially so for group-based and active music-making interventions. Future studies should include the theoretical rationale for choosing the type and mode of music-based interventions. Future research with standardized intervention, population, outcome measures, mode, and place of intervention delivery is needed to ascertain the effects of music-based interventions.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, music-based intervention can be an accessible and convenient way to strengthen mother-infant bonding, maternal mood, and sense of accomplishment among women with healthy-term infants.