Sound therapy: what the research says

Listening to music may help sleep and nerves before medical care. Sound baths and singing bowls have only a few small studies.

What a session is

You lie or sit while a practitioner plays singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks or their voice, or guides you to hum or tone. Practitioners believe the sounds and vibrations bring balance; this has not been shown in studies.

What the research says

• Sleep: Listening to calm music daily helped people sleep better in 13 studies. Sound baths have not been studied. Some evidence it may help · Cochrane, 2022 · NCCIH, 2024
• Worry and anxiety: Listening to music eased nerves before surgery and other medical care. Most studies had flaws, and sound baths were not tested. Some evidence it may help · Cochrane, 2013 · NCCIH, 2024
• Stress and relaxation (singing bowls): Only 4 small studies of singing bowls; people felt calmer and less tense. Reviewers said there are too few good studies to recommend them. Limited evidence · Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2020 · NCCIH, 2022
• Low mood: Sound sessions have not been studied for low mood. Music therapy with a trained therapist is different; it helped in some studies. No good evidence yet · Cochrane, 2017
• Back, neck and muscle tension: Sound sessions have not been studied well for back or neck pain. Music may ease pain linked to illness or medical procedures. No good evidence yet · NCCIH, 2020 · NCCIH, 2022
• Menopause and grief: Not studied in the sources we use. No good evidence yet · NCCIH, 2021

More on each need: Sleep better · Feel calmer · Handle stress better · Lift your mood · A relaxed body

Is it safe?

Sessions are generally gentle. Keep sound at a comfortable volume, as loud sound can damage hearing. Some sounds or music can stir strong feelings. NCCIH, 2022

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor. If you feel very low or think about ending your life, call your local emergency number now.

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Checked 22 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.