A Bibliometric Analysis of Music's Role in Promoting Well-Being in Health Science Research

<ns3:p>Background The relationship between music and well-being has gained significant scholarly interest due to its implications for mental health, rehabilitation, and quality of life. Despite growing research, a large-scale bibliometric analysis capturing global trends, key contributors, and emerging themes in this interdisciplinary field remains unexplored. This study addresses this gap by systematically mapping the scientific landscape of music and well-being research over time, identifying dominant themes, and highlighting areas requiring further investigation. Methods We conducted a bibliometric review of 16,585 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus, spanning multiple disciplines, including psychology, medicine, and neuroscience. Using advanced computational methods—co-occurrence network analysis and Louvain clustering—we identified major research clusters and analyzed publication trends, geographic contributions, and evolving topics. Results Five key thematic clusters emerged: (1) Well-being and Spiritual Growth, (2) Music Therapy for Anxiety and Pain, (3) Emotion and Cognition, (4) Rehabilitation in Older Adults, and (5) Hearing Health in Youth. Publication output increased sharply after 2018, with Music Therapy for Anxiety and Pain (Cluster 2) representing the largest share of research. The United States and European countries were the most prolific contributors, whereas regions with rich musical traditions, such as Africa and South Asia, were underrepresented. Emerging trends included neuroscientific explorations of music’s effects and digital therapeutic innovations (e.g., AI-driven music interventions). However, challenges in clinical implementation persist, including limited healthcare integration and insufficient training for practitioners, particularly nurses, who play a vital role in therapy delivery. Conclusions This study offers a comprehensive foundation for advancing research on music and well-being, emphasizing the need for cross-cultural studies, deeper mechanistic insights, and ethical frameworks for digital applications. Future work should prioritize translating research into practice, ensuring equitable global representation, and addressing implementation barriers in healthcare settings.</ns3:p>