The Role of Traditional Musical Instruments in Healing Purposes

Traditional musical instruments, embedded within diverse cultural contexts, have long played a role in therapeutic and wellness practices. This systematic review investigates their use in art-based health interventions, emphasizing therapeutic outcomes. Guided by the PRISMA methodology, 27 relevant studies were synthesized from databases including Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore. Results indicate a predominant focus on addressing psychological well-being and mental health through these interventions. While the guitar emerged as the most employed instrument, particularly in group settings, other traditional instruments—such as the Didgeridoo, Oud, Djembe, and Gending Gamelan—also demonstrated therapeutic value, especially in individual contexts. The United States appears to be at the forefront of research in this area; however, there remains a notable lack of studies in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the rich traditions of healing music present there. These insights affirm the continuing relevance of traditional instruments in modern therapeutic frameworks and suggest the need for future research into virtual modalities and intercultural approaches to broaden impact and accessibility.