Preliminary study of the effects of an educational workshop on therapeutic use of music and aesthetic experience with music in first-line nurses

SummaryAimThe purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an educational workshop on knowledge of and attitude toward therapeutic use of music and aesthetic experiences with music among first-line nurses.DesignA one-group pre-test/post-test design was used.MethodsForty-six first-line nurses, aged 21–56 years, were recruited from seven different hospitals. Questionnaires were used to assess the nurses' knowledge of and attitude toward therapeutic use of music and aesthetic experience with music before and after the workshop, and 3 months after the workshop. The workshop comprised three sessions; the nurses participated in 8 h of instruction the first week and 4 h, the second week covering analytical music appreciation, music staves comprehension, theory and practice of music therapy, and evidence-based music intervention.ResultsEducational workshop significantly improved knowledge of and attitudes toward therapeutic use of music and music aesthetic experiences (p < 0.001). A sustained effect of the workshop was found at follow up 3-month after workshop. The mean change in scores for music aesthetic experiences between nurse with and without music backgrounds differed significantly (p = 0.01).ConclusionsThe workshop enhanced the knowledge of and attitude toward therapeutic use of music and aesthetic experiences with music among first-line nurses.