Music Listening Among Postoperative Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Trial with...

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Pain Management
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Music listening is known to alleviate distress and anxiety.
• Its effect on opioid use and patient experience in critical care settings remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of music listening on pain, distress, anxiety, and opioid intake in surgical patients admitted to the ICU.
• To assess the effect of music on the overall patient experience in the ICU.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 41 surgical patients in the ICU.
• Patients were assigned to either a music listening group or a control group for 48 hours.
• Pain, distress, and anxiety scores were measured pre- and post-intervention, with opioid intake recorded regularly.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in pain, opioid intake, distress, or anxiety scores were observed between groups at initial time points.
• A significant decrease in pain scores was noted in the music group compared to the control group at the first intervention point (P=.037).
• Qualitative analysis of patient interviews post-ICU discharge revealed positive experiences in the music group.

Conclusions:

• Music listening shows potential as an intervention to improve patient experience in the ICU.
• Further mixed-methods research is recommended to explore patient perspectives and optimize music interventions in critical care.