An Investigation Comparing the Effectiveness of a Live Music Therapy Session and Recorded Music in Reducing Anxiety for Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neurone Disease

Journal

The Australian Journal of Music Therapy

Year

2010

Volume

21

First Page

23

Last Page

38

Abstract

The aim of this research project was to compare the effectiveness of a live music therapy session, recorded music, and silence, in reducing anxiety for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) / motor neurone disease (MND). Twenty-one participants with ALS/MND were recruited from an inpatient hospice service. The study implemented a repeated measures design, with participants acting as their own controls. Participants experienced each of the three conditions mentioned above, over a period of one week. A pretest-posttest design was used and participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983) and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) (Bruera, Kuehn, Miller, Selmser & Macmillan, 1991) immediately before and after the intervention. Heart rate and oxygen saturation levels were also measured pre and post. Results of the study were not significant in either the music therapy or recorded music groups. The majority of participants (81%) reported little or no anxiety prior to the interventions, and therefore, little change was noted in any of the groups. Limitations of the study included patients' not experiencing significant anxiety, study design and difficulty with recruitment and attrition rates. The authors recommend further studies to determine the need for anxiety management and also surveying patients as to their needs.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Anxiety; Anxiety Scales; Heart Rate; Music Listening; Music Therapy; Neurodegenerative Disorders; Nursing Home; Oxygen Saturation; Psychological Outcomes; Recorded Music Listening; Vital Signs

Indexed Terms

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Medical disorders; Disease; Musical recordings; Statistical analysis; Comparative analysis; Anxiety

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

Disciplines

Music Therapy

Document Type

Article

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