Music in Seclusion Rooms-Development, Implementation, and Initial Testing of a Music Listening Device

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Care
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Seclusion rooms (SR) are controversial in psychiatric care due to ethical and therapeutic concerns.
• Music listening has shown potential benefits for psychiatric patients.
• Improving the quality of care during SR use is a critical area for research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, implement, and evaluate a user-friendly musical listening device for patients in SRs.
• To assess the device's impact on patient autonomy and the patient-nurse relationship.
• To explore the potential of music as a therapeutic intervention in seclusion settings.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week study involving qualitative interviews with 6 nurses.
• Focus on nurses' experiences caring for patients using a newly developed music player in SRs.
• Exploration of the device's usability and its effect on patient-nurse interactions.

Main Results:

• The music player was perceived as user-friendly and easy to operate.
• The device empowered patients to make choices, aiding self-control and behavior regulation.
• It facilitated increased patient-nurse interactions, contributing to a stronger caring relationship.

Conclusions:

• The musical listening device shows promise for enhancing the care dimension of SR use.
• It may improve patient autonomy and the therapeutic alliance within seclusion settings.
• Further research is needed to confirm its impact on subjective experiences and ward routines.