Effects of music training on executive functions in preschool children aged 3-6years: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Executive functions is a crucial ability in the early development of preschool children. While numerous studies have found that music training has a favourable effect on children's executive functions, there is a lack of a consistent perspective on this topic, particularly with regard to the dose-response relationship. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to compute standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: In all, 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis, in which children's music training groups showed significantly improved inhibitory control (SMD=0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.6), working memory (SMD=0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.54), and cognitive flexibility (SMD=0.23, 95% CI: 0.04-0.42) in comparison with control groups. Subgroup analyses indicated significant improvements relative to the control groups for inhibitory control following music training having a duration of >=12weeks (SMD=0.51, 95% CI: 0.22-0.8), occurring >=3 times per week (SMD=0.48, 95% CI: 0.2-0.75), and lasting 20-30min per session (SMD=0.42, 95% CI: 0.2-0.63). Significant improvements were seen for working memory following music training having a duration of >=12weeks (SMD=0.42, 95% CI: 0.18-0.65), occurring <3 times per week (SMD=0.49, 95% CI: 0.06-0.93), occurring >=3 times per week (SMD=0.28, 95% CI:0.1-0.47), and lasting 20-30min per session (SMD=0.39, 95% CI: 0.16-0.54). Music training significantly improved cognitive flexibility following training having a duration of >=12weeks (SMD=0.22, 95% CI: 0.04-0.41), occurring >=3 times per week (SMD=0.19, 95% CI: 0.0-0.39), and lasting >40min per session (SMD=0.74, 95% CI: 0.22-1.26). Conclusion: Music training has a positive effect on inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in preschool children aged 3-6years. This effect is influenced by certain training factors, including the duration of the intervention period, frequency per week, and length of each session. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#aboutregpage, CRD42024513482.