Walworth, D., Rumana, C.S., Nguyen, J., & Jarred, J. (2008). Effects of live music therapy sessions on quality of life indicators, medications administered and hospital length of stay for patients undergoing elective surgical procedures for brain. Journal of Music Therapy, 45, 349–359.
To examine effects of live music therapy on quality-of-life indicators, medications administered, and length of stay in patients undergoing brain surgery
Patients were met 30–45 minutes prior to surgery in the outpatient surgery check-in area, inpatient room, or preoperative holding area and completed baseline study measures. Patients in the experimental group received 20–30 minutes of patient-preferred live music and completed postintervention measures prior to surgery. Those in the experimental group received the music intervention each subsequent day of hospital stay, and completed both pre- and postintervention measures. Patients, family members, and visitors could participate by singing, playing rhythm instruments, or listening. Techniques included lyric analysis, songwriting, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. Control group patients also completed study measures postoperatively and daily during their hospital stay.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
There were no significant differences between groups for anxiety, mood, pain, perception of hospitalization, relaxation, or stress. There were no differences between groups for medications used. There was no significant difference between groups for length of stay.
Results do not support an effect of live music therapy on anxiety, pain, medication use, or length of hospital stay in patients undergoing brain surgery.
This study does not demonstrate effectiveness of music therapy in hospitalized patients undergoing brain surgery. Practical application of this type of intervention in most acute inpatient settings and perioperative settings is questionable.