Music Thanatology: Prescriptive Harp Music as Palliative Care for the Dying Patient

Journal

The American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care

Year

2006

Abstract

Music thanatology represents an emerging area in which the raw materials of music, usually harp and/or voice, assist and comfort the dying patient. During prescriptive "music vigils, " the clinician-musician carefully observes physiological changes, cues, and breathing patterns, thereby synchronizing the music to reflect or support the patient's physiology and overall condition. Using data collected from 65 patients, this study was designed to assess the effectiveness of prescriptive harp music on selected palliative care outcomes using a sample of de-identified data forms from past music vigils. Patients were administered a 25- to 95-minute intervention of prescriptive harp music. Data collected included vital signs and observational indicators before (Ti) and after (T2) the vigil. Patients were more likely to experience decreased levels of agitation and wakefulness while also breathing more slowly and deeply with less effort at the conclusion of the music vigil. Results from this study suggest that a prescriptive vigil conducted by a trained music thanatologist could provide an effective form of palliative care for dying patients.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Anxiety; Calmness; Discomfort; Hospice Care; Hospitalized Patients; Live Music Listening; Music Listening; Music Thanatology; Music Therapy; Music and Healing; Pain; Pain Management and Control; Palliative Care; Receptive Music Methods; Suffering; Terminally Ill; Vital signs

Indexed Terms

Elderly; Anxiety; Pain; Palliative Care; Pilot Projects; Terminally Ill; Thanatology

Study Type

Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods

PubMed ID

16572747

Document Type

Article

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