Music and Epilepsy

A Literature Review

Abstract

Epilepsy has been increasingly studied in relation to auditory stimuli. Research has demonstrated the health-promoting and seizure-inducing influence of music on the epileptic brain. The objective of this literature review is to investigate the potential therapeutic and adverse outcomes of music in people with epilepsy. Understanding how music and sound impact symptoms and rehabilitation in epilepsy patients may support the development of effective therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies for epilepsy. This review examines empirical studies, meta-analyses, and literature reviews to identify circumstances under which auditory stimuli may alleviate or trigger symptoms. Studies were reviewed for their designs, participant characteristics, auditory stimulus types, and outcome measures involving seizure frequency and epileptiform activity. Evidence indicates that certain musical stimuli, including specific compositions, and clinical interventions involving music training or exposure may reduce seizures and epileptiform discharges and contribute to psychosocial wellbeing. Conversely, music has also been reported to trigger seizures. The findings suggest a complex, context-dependent association between musical stimuli and restorative or detrimental outcomes on individuals with epilepsy. The underlying neural mechanisms for the therapeutic and adverse effects of music on epilepsy patients remain poorly understood. Further research is necessary to determine optimal conditions for safe, effective auditory-based treatment interventions and diagnostic procedures for epilepsy.