Abstract

Auditory hallucinations are among the most common symptoms experienced by individuals with severe mental disorders and require effective, safe, and evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions to complement antipsychotic therapy. This literature review aimed to evaluate the consistency and effectiveness of classical music therapy in reducing the signs and symptoms of auditory hallucinations. A descriptive narrative literature review was conducted by synthesizing evidence from five studies published between 2017 and 2025 using a thematic synthesis approach. The findings consistently demonstrated that classical music therapy effectively reduced the signs and symptoms of auditory hallucinations, with three studies conducted in Indonesia reporting statistically significant improvements (p = 0.000). The therapeutic effects are attributed to several physiological mechanisms, including the stimulation of alpha brain wave activity, suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity, promotion of relaxation, and attentional redirection (grounding), which collectively contribute to reducing hallucinatory experiences. Overall, classical music therapy is a safe, practical, and effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention. Integrating this intervention into psychiatric nursing care programs may enhance symptom management, promote relaxation, and improve the quality of life of patients experiencing auditory hallucinations..
Keywords: Auditory hallucinations; Classical music therapy; Psychiatric nursing; Non pharmacological therapy; Severe mental illness.