Implementing a Therapeutic Music Program in the ICU

Abstract

Introduction: In an effort to promote a healing environment in the intensive care unit (ICU), the use of therapeutic music offers an opportunity to expand patient and family centered care initiatives.  However, limited information is available on the benefits of therapeutic music for patients, family members and clinical staff. 

Objective: The objective of this study was to implement a therapeutic music program in the ICU setting.  Using musicians who were processed as hospital volunteers, the program was implemented starting in the medical ICU and expanding to 4 other clinical ICUs at an academic medical center.

Methods: Institutional review board approval for the study was received.  Musicians provide live music several times a week, typically in the late afternoon, visiting patient rooms and playing music in the hallways for those patients with isolation precautions (Figure 1). The volunteer musicians play classical genre music songs for patients using a variety of instruments including piano, cello, viola, violin, oboe, flute, and saxophone. Non-identifiable data was collected from patients, clinical nurses, and musicians using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) in several descriptive studies. Responses to five open ended questions assessed perceptions of the therapeutic music.  The qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo, a qualitative data analysis computer software, to sort into themes. 

Results: Majority (92% ) of patients indicated that music was a significant part of their life and 90% indicated that they enjoyed the experience and would participate in the future. Clinical nursing staff and musicians highlighted the benefits of having live music for patients to provide a momentary disruption to the busy ICU environment. Major themes reflected the calming and relaxation effects of music, and the benefits of having live music played by musicians in the ICU.

Conclusions: The results suggest that therapeutic music is beneficial in helping to promote a healing environment in the ICU.  Additional ongoing research is exploring the impact of different music genres and the ideal exposure “dose” of therapeutic music, as well as the potential to impact patient outcomes including the development of delirium in the ICU.

References:

Bruder AL, Gururaja A, Narayani N, Kleinpell R, Schlesinger JJ. (2024) Patients' Perceptions of Virtual Live Music in the Intensive Care Unit. American Journal of Critical Care. 1;33(1):54-59. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2024140

Schlesinger JJ, Pearson M, O'Briant D, Bose J, Yang ST, Li J, Rice T, Kleinpel R. (2022) Implementing and Evaluating a Pilot Therapeutic Music Program in the Intensive Care Unit. International Journal of Critical Care;16:2. doi.org/10.29173/ijcc44