Interdisciplinary Management of Misophonia in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Misophonia is a condition defined by intense, disproportionate emotional and physiological reactivity to specific auditory triggers and remains one of the most undercharacterized sensory-based conditions affecting youth and young adults globally. This systematic review synthesises evidence from 21 studies (15 case reports, three case series, one single-case experimental design, one non-randomized controlled trial, and one randomized controlled trial) published between 2013 and 2025 to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of interventions targeting misophonia in individuals aged 10-35 years. Four databases were searched, namely, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate and, Google Scholar for studies published between 2010 and 2025 using a structured Boolean strategy. Study quality was appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools appropriate for each design. The reviewed literature showed a gradual yet clear trend that shifts from mostly anecdotal, single-case reports towards organised, replicable intervention methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially family-adapted variants, became the most widely used form of treatment, whereas pharmacological and audiological approaches were primarily used as supplementary rather than main treatments. The available body of evidence is still limited. This review maps the existing intervention landscape for misophonia in adolescents and young adults, identifies key developmental and methodological considerations, and highlights directions for future research.