Effect of music therapy on anxiety and pain in the critical polytraumatised patient.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of music therapy on anxiety and pain in critical polytraumatised patients admitted to the resuscitation unit of a tertiary level hospital in Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomised clinical trial conducted in a tertiary level hospital, from June 2016 to May 2018. The study sample was 60 patients, 30 belonging to the intervention group (IG), and 30 to the control group (CG). The IG were given a 30-minute music session and heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured. The VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was applied for anxiety and pain before and after each session. The same measures and scales were applied in the CG who did not receive a music session. The music session comprised 3 parts: the first was standard music selected by music therapists; the second was personalised, chosen by the patient and the third was a new standard. The intervention took place in a booth with headphones.

RESULTS: Significant changes in anxiety levels (P<.01) were detected in the group of patients undergoing the intervention, measured with the VAS scale for anxiety, and pain levels (P<.01), measured with the VAS scale for pain. No significant differences were found in the physiological parameters of HR and BP.

CONCLUSION: The use of music in critical polytraumatised patients reduces anxiety and pain levels, increasing the patient's well-being and improving the quality of care. Music therapy, therefore, is considered beneficial as a complementary measure in critical care units. It would be worthwhile to continue studies in this and other hospital areas.