Research on postoperative music interventions for cardiac patients after severe surgery
Researchers at ÖrebroUniversityHospital has conducted several research projects with cardiac patients treated postoperatively with a specially designed music. The rest period after severe surgery as heart valve and bypass operations, project manager Ulrica Nilsson (Med.Dr., PhD, assistant professor and anesthesia nurse at Örebro University Hospital) have designed studies where patients in a series of randomized controlled trials were divided into 'music group' and 'non-music groups,' and through measurements of blood samples and questions about emotional reactions (stress, anxiety, etc.) were tested for both physical and psychological effects of music. Many interesting results were obtained and articles have now been published in international journals, including 'Journal of Clinical Nursing' and 'Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care'
Researchers at ÖrebroUniversityHospital has conducted several research projects with cardiac patients treated postoperatively with a specially designed music. The rest period after severe surgery as heart valve and bypass operations, project manager Ulrica Nilsson (Med.Dr., PhD, assistant professor and anesthesia nurse at Örebro University Hospital) have designed studies where patients in a series of randomized controlled trials were divided into 'music group' and 'non-music groups,' and through measurements of blood samples and questions about emotional reactions (stress, anxiety, etc.) were tested for both physical and psychological effects of music. Many interesting results were obtained and articles have now been published in international journals, including 'Journal of Clinical Nursing' and 'Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care'
Attention is directed particularly at the results Ulrica Nilsson can show around the body's production of the hormones ‘cortisol’ and ‘Oxytocin’ in the two groups’ experience during a rest period after surgery. Cortisol are generally known as the body's ‘stress hormone’ and the particular study could document that cortisol levels decreased significantly in the group who listened to music during 30 minutes of rest.
Ulrica Nilsson: "Cortisol levels will always rise when you get surgery, even when you are trying to calm the patient. It is a natural response to an operation, which implies an encroachment on your body. It goes down eventually, but it goes much faster if you can listen to relaxing music”
Oxytocin is the hormone essential for several things, including bonding between mother and infant, general trust and social interaction between people. Oxytocin also has an "anti-stress" effect and contributes to increased pain tolerance, and increased feeling of calm and peace which is triggered by positive sensory stimulation.
In the study at Orebro University Hospital it could be documented that the body's production of the hormone Oxytocin was increased significantly during the 30 minutes of music listening experienced by the music group, whereas the level decreased in non-music group.
In the study at Orebro University Hospital it could be documented that the body's production of the hormone Oxytocin was increased significantly during the 30 minutes of music listening experienced by the music group, whereas the level decreased in non-music group.
Ulrica Nilsson: "We want to see if the “peace-and-calm-hormone” (Oxytocin) is secreted when passively listening to music. Cardiac patients are often under stress after surgery and need peace. Stress is a natural bodily response to major surgery and aftercare in intensive care”
See abstracts of the articles under: Publications & Articles
Published in: Journal of Clinical Nursing 2009;18:2153-2161
Published in: Heart & Lung; 2009;38:201-207
Nilsson Ulrica RNA, PhD, Associate Professor Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and Centre for Health Care Sciences Örebro University Hospital and School of Health, Örebro University, Sweden. Link to Ulrica Nilsson web site
Music for heart patients during invasive procedures
Specialist nurse Bitten Gøtzsche, Cardiology Laboratory, Aalborg University Hospital:
In Cardiology Laboratory, Aalborg we have since 2002 used music to patients in the invasive procedures. The starting point of our practice are two studies from 2001 and 2003, which focused on the efficacy of music to patients in relation to CAG (koronararteriografi - study of coronary arteries) and PCI (percutaneous absorption coronary intervention - angioplasty and stent treatment of narrowed coronary arteries in the heart).
Both studies confirmed our assumptions that the music has a positive effect on patients in relation to cardiac investigations and treatments. In both studies the patients said that music made them relax, think about other things (than the ‘unpleasantness’ of the procedure itself, and what they otherwise were afraid of) and that the music gave them a good feeling.
We have since used the music every day of Cardiology Laboratory, and we strive to constantly expand our knowledge and experience through literature search and monitoring of other studies. In addition, we are working to develop the quality of current practice with music to our patients.
Our results can certainly be transferred to other categories of patients and other departments, and we would very much like to share and pass on our knowledge and experience in this field.
Read the complete article by Bitten Gøtzsches under Recommendations and see the two studies mentioned under: Publications and Articles
Heart examinations and anxiety
Music for heart patients during invasive procedures
Specialist nurse Bitten Gøtzsche, Cardiology Laboratory, Aalborg University Hospital:
In Cardiology Laboratory, Aalborg we have since 2002 used music to patients in the invasive procedures. The starting point of our practice are two studies from 2001 and 2003, which focused on the efficacy of music to patients in relation to CAG (koronararteriografi - study of coronary arteries) and PCI (percutaneous absorption coronary intervention - angioplasty and stent treatment of narrowed coronary arteries in the heart).
Both studies confirmed our assumptions that the music has a positive effect on patients in relation to cardiac investigations and treatments. In both studies the patients said that music made them relax, think about other things (than the ‘unpleasantness’ of the procedure itself, and what they otherwise were afraid of) and that the music gave them a good feeling.
We have since used the music every day of Cardiology Laboratory, and we strive to constantly expand our knowledge and experience through literature search and monitoring of other studies. In addition, we are working to develop the quality of current practice with music to our patients.
Our results can certainly be transferred to other categories of patients and other departments, and we would very much like to share and pass on our knowledge and experience in this field.
Read the complete article by Bitten Gøtzsches under Recommendations and see the two studies mentioned under: Publications and Articles
Heart examinations and anxiety
At Northwest Hospital and Medical Centre in Seattle, WA, USA a prospective, randomized, study was completed in 2004. The main objective was to measure the beneficial effects of music intervention on subject anxiety and well-being during cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures; as well as to compare outcome differences with regard to the method of music administration. The subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1, control (no music); Group 2, music environment with a remote sound source from suspended loudspeakers; Group 3, patient focused music environment from a focused sound system (audio pillow).
One hundred and two subjects were consented. Subjects were stratified into groups to obtain equal representation for gender after randomization to groups. The study ended when equal numbers of both genders had been obtained for all groups. The music used in the study was specially designed music (MusiCure) composed by Niels Eje.
This study showed that the use of a specially designed sound environment reduced the perceived anxiety level during the procedure by more than half, independent on the delivery method of the sound. Leader of the project was specialist nurse Birgit P. Weeks, RN, BSN, BS, Intensive Care, NorthwestHospital & MedicalCenter, Sseattle, WA, USA, and an abstract from this study can be read here.
Source: The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006), confex.com
Source: The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006), confex.com