Music Intervention as a Tool in Improving Patient Experience in Palliative Care.
Author: Peng CS1, Baxter K1,2, Lally KM1,2
Affiliation:
11 The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
22 Palliative Care, Care New England Health System, Warwick, RI, USA.
Conference/Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care.
Date published: 2018 Jul 25
Other:
Volume ID: 1049909118788643 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/1049909118788643. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 265
BACKGROUND: The pain, anxiety, and stress associated with end-of-life care are paramount issues to address for both patients and their families. Reduction in these factors could translate to improved quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of adding music to standard care for patients receiving a hospice or palliative care consult at 2 hospitals in the Care New England health-care system. In this mixed quantitative and qualitative study, we implemented live music intervention sessions.
DESIGN/MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes include symptom burden pre- and post-intervention using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, opioid use in equivalent time periods before and after the music intervention, and qualitative personal narratives of patients' and families' experiences with the music.
RESULTS: There were significant decreases in pain, anxiety, nausea, shortness of breath, and feelings of depression along with significant increase in feelings of well-being. Opioid use in time periods after the music intervention trended toward decreased usage when compared to the equivalent time period before. Finally, compiled personal narratives of patients' and families' experiences of the music intervention demonstrated common themes of spirituality, comfort, relaxation, escape, and reflection.
CONCLUSIONS: This project demonstrated the beneficial effects of music in a patient population that struggles with symptom management when only pharmacologic management is used. These data elucidate biological and psychosocial factors that are positively impacted by the intervention. With additional evidence in music as well as other artistic modalities, it is promising that arts-based programs in inpatient hospice and palliative care settings will continue to expand and flourish.
KEYWORDS: arts intervention; end-of-life; music intervention; narrative medicine; pain management; palliative care; symptom management
PMID: 30045627 DOI: 10.1177/1049909118788643
BACK
