Feasibility and acceptability of a self-managed exercise to rhythmic music intervention for ICU survivors

Post-ICU rehabilitation is a challenging clinical issue for patients discharged from an Intensive Care Unit ("ICU survivors"). Our exercise to rhythmic music intervention was designed to allow ICU survivors to self-manage their exercise by following a personalized, recorded exercise playlist.

Our study reports the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative music intervention among ICU survivors enrolled in a randomized controlled pilot study.

ICU survivors, admitted in ICU for at least 5 days and cognitively intact, were randomly assigned to an exercise to rhythmic music group (n = 10) or an active control group (n = 10). Participants in the music group were taught to self-manage exercise by listening to a recorded playlist of instructions and music-facilitated movements tailored to their musical preference and exercise ability. Participants in the control group were provided a brochure with exercise instructions. After 5 days or at hospital discharge, participants completed an 8-item acceptability questionnaire and were interviewed. Content analysis was conducted.

18 Participants were included for final analysis. Participants were 61.8 ± 14.7 years old, predominantly male (66.7%), and Caucasian (55.6%). Results demonstrated feasibility, as the study team was able to meet the enrollment goal of 5-6 participants per month. Three themes related to general, physical, and psychosocial benefits were identified. Based on positive feedback, the exercise to rhythmic music intervention was deemed acceptable.

The exercise to rhythmic music intervention was feasible and acceptable, suggesting that clinical trials with larger sample sizes should investigate the effects of the intervention on outcomes among ICU survivors.