The effects of live therapeutic music on patient's affect and perceptions of care: A randomized field study

AimThis article examines the effects of live therapeutic music (LTM) on patients in a hospital setting. LTM was hypothesized to directly increase patients' positive affect and to indirectly influence their perceptions of the care they received.MethodOne hundred patients participated in a two group (fifty per group), quasi-experimental design in which they completed a very brief questionnaire assessing their affect and perceptions of care. Half of the participants were exposed to LTM at the bedside. The other half served as a comparison group. A structural equation model was used to test the hypothesized effects of LTM.ResultsThe model explained 63% of the variance in patient's affect and 10% of the variance in perceptions of care.ConclusionsPatients respond to LTM with increased positive affect and by assigning higher ratings to the care they receive. LTM could be used as a viable means to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.