The influence of classical music on learning and memory in rats: a systematic review and meta-analysis

During the learning process, music can activate important neural areas in the brain, promoting the retention of information and memory formation. However, studies testing music effects on memory had found different improvements, which could be due to the methodological differences across studies. Thus, the purpose of this article was to systematically review the literature and meta-analyze the effects of music on Rattus norvegicus’ explicit memory (Maze tests) only in controlled investigations. The seven studies included led to a very homogeneous analysis (I² = 0%), confirming the consistency of the significant standardized mean difference (SMD) between the memory of animals exposed and not exposed to music (SMD 0.60 (95% CI 0.38; 0.83, p < 0.001)). Exploratory analysis suggests music benefits on memory can be acquired when begun at any age, when tested with the three types of mazes evaluated, with exposure lasting from 8 to 83 days and when the age on test day was either under 30 days or over 30 days. To expand the actual understanding of music effects on memory, future studies should investigate different types of music and animal species, with different sex and health conditions, at different time points.