Music as a Therapeutic Intervention on an Inpatient Neuroscience Unit

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a music intervention (MI) on physiological parameters, pain and mood states in the neuroscience patient. This study enrolled and randomized subjects to 1of 2 groups, usual care (UC) group (n = 29) or UC plus MI (n = 24). Data collected were physiologic parameters, pain and mood states pre and post a 30 min MI with UC compared to UC. The sample was 16 males/37 females, mean age of 55.8 years, with similar baseline characteristics. There were significant reductions in heart rate (t = −2.1, p < 0.04), respirations (t = −3.4, p < 0.001), perceived anxiety (t = −4.1, p < 0.000), depression (t = −4.3, p < 0.000), and total mood score (t = −4.1, p < 0.000) in subjects who received UC plus MI compared to UC. The inclusion of MI as a therapeutic intervention for neuroscience patients appears to decrease the emotional burden of hospitalization.