Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 16, 2025
Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
Examining the Effects of Music-Based Interventions on Pain and Anxiety in Hospitalized Children: An Integrative
Alexandra A Johnson1, Arron Berry1, Maia Bradley1
1The Johns Hopkins Hospital, MD, USA.
Insights
Nurse-led music interventions effectively reduce anxiety in hospitalized children. While safe and feasible, further research is needed to confirm music
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Pain Management
- Music Therapy
Background:
- Hospitalized children frequently experience pain and anxiety, impacting healing.
- Barriers exist in managing pediatric pain and anxiety, including fears of medication side effects.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for pediatric patient recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of nurse-led, music-based interventions on pain and anxiety in hospitalized children.
- To synthesize evidence from studies published between 2009 and 2019.
- To assess music as an adjunct therapy for pediatric pain and anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of literature from 2009-2019.
- Inclusion criteria: subjects aged 0-21, music intervention (live or recorded), inpatient setting.
- Analysis of eight studies (seven randomized controlled trials, one quasi-experimental).
Main Results:
- Consistent evidence shows music significantly reduces anxiety in children before and during procedures.
- Results regarding pain reduction and impact on vital signs were mixed.
- Patient preference for music selection was highlighted as important.
Conclusions:
- Nurse-led music interventions are safe, feasible, affordable, and effective for managing pediatric anxiety.
- Music should be considered an adjunct to traditional anxiety treatments.
- Further research is required to clarify music's effects on pain in children.
Problem:
Children often experience pain and anxiety during a hospital stay. Effective pain and anxiety management plays a crucial role in healing. However, recent literature has highlighted multiple barriers to managing pain and anxiety in children, such as parent and provider fears of the adverse effects of pain and anxiety medications.
Eligibility Criteria:
A database search was conducted for articles published between 2009 and 2019 to evaluate the impact of nurse-led, music-based interventions as an adjunct method of pain and anxiety management in hospitalized children. Articles were included if study subjects were ages 0-21 years old, the study used live or recorded music as an intervention, and occurred in an inpatient setting.
Sample:
A total of seven randomized control trials and one quasi-experimental study were included for analysis.
Results:
There is consistent and significant evidence that music can reduce anxiety in hospitalized children before and during procedures. Results with respect to pain and vital signs, often viewed as the physiologic analogs to pain, were mixed.
Conclusions:
Music-based interventions are safe for hospitalized children. Several studies highlighted the importance of patient preference in selecting music for children. A heavy reliance on pre-recorded audio, delivered via headphones illustrates the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of music-based interventions.
Implications:
Nurse-led, music-based interventions have been shown to be an affordable, safe, effective, and feasible alternative for managing anxiety in hospitalized children. Music should be considered as an adjunct therapy to traditional anxiety treatment. Further research is needed to determine the effects of music on pain.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.