The Role of Music Therapy in Improving Anger Regulation Strategies: A Systematic Review Based on the PRISMA Framework

Abstract :

The aim of this study was to systematically review studies related to the effect of music therapy on improving anger regulation strategies in different age groups and clinically. Anger is one of the fundamental human emotions that if not managed effectively, has negative psychological, social, and physical consequences. In recent years, music therapy has attracted the attention of psychologists as a non-invasive, pleasurable, welcome, and low-cost method. Using the PRISMA framework and reviewing 87 studies between 2000 and 2025, this study investigated the effectiveness of different types of music therapy in improving cognitive, behavioral, and physiological anger regulation strategies. The results show that music therapy significantly reduced trait anger, aggression, and improved strategies such as cognitive revision, problem solving, and impulse control. The highest effectiveness was observed in active group interventions such as percussion and group singing. Also, various neurological, psychological, and social mechanisms play a role in this effectiveness. However, heterogeneity in tools, study design, and lack of long-term follow-up have limited the external validity of the results. This review emphasizes that music therapy can be used as an effective adjunct to educational, clinical and rehabilitation programmes for anger management, provided that future studies are carried out with a more rigorous methodology and higher standards.

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