Effects of Music Therapy on Physiological and Psychological Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Journal

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

Year

2006

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery is a common interventional procedure for ischemic and valvular heart disease. Cardiac surgery is accompanied by postoperative pain and anxiety. The use of music therapy has been shown to reduce pain, anxiety, and physiological parameters in patients having surgical procedures. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of music therapy versus a quiet, uninterrupted rest period on pain intensity, anxiety, physiological parameters, and opioid consumption after cardiac surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An experimental design was used. A total sample of 86 patients (69.8% males) were randomized to 1 of 2 groups; 50 patients received 20 minutes of music (intervention), whereas 36 patients had 20 minutes of rest in bed (control). Anxiety, pain, physiologic parameters, and opioid consumption were measured before and after the 20-minute period. RESULTS: A significant reduction in anxiety (P < or = .001) and pain (P = .009) was demonstrated in the group that received music compared with the control group, but no difference was observed in systolic blood pressure (P = .17), diastolic blood pressure (P = .11), or heart rate (P = .76). There was no reduction in opioid usage in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients recovering from cardiac surgery may benefit from music therapy.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Analgesic Intake; Anxiety; Anxiety Scales; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Surgery; Heart Rate; Hospital Setting; Hospitalized Patients; Medication Use; Music Listening; Music Medicine; Opioid Intake; Pain; Pain Management and Control; Pain Score or Rating; Postoperative Pain; Postoperative Patients; Recorded Music Listening; Self-Report Measures; Surgery; Surgical Patients; Vital signs

Indexed Terms

Opioid Analgesics; Anxiety; Bed Rest; Blood Pressure; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Heart Diseases; Heart Rate; Pain; Pain Management; Postoperative Care

Study Type

Randomized Controlled Trial; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

16699359

Document Type

Article

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