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Music Therapy Supports Children with Neurological Diseases during Physical Therapy Interventions
Susann Kobus1, Franziska Bologna2, Ines Maucher3
1Clinic for Pediatrics I, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Insights
Live music therapy can improve vital signs in children with neurological diseases during physical therapy. This approach helps lower heart and respiratory rates while increasing oxygen saturation, supporting rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Music Therapy
Background:
- Neurological diseases in children often require extensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy.
- Early rehabilitation is crucial for promoting development in hospitalized children with neurological conditions.
- The potential impact of music therapy on physiological responses during physical therapy is an area of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of live music therapy on vital signs during physical therapy sessions for children with neurological diseases.
- To compare physiological responses during physical therapy with and without live music intervention.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen children with neurological diseases participated in the study.
- Physical therapy sessions were conducted twice weekly, with and without live music therapy.
- Heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored before, during, and after each session.
Main Results:
- Physical therapy interventions, with or without music, induced changes in vital signs.
- Live music therapy was associated with significantly lower heart rates (mean difference -8.0 bpm) and respiratory rates (mean difference -0.8 breaths/min).
- Children exhibited significantly higher oxygen saturation (+0.6%) during physical therapy with live music therapy.
Conclusions:
- Live music therapy positively influences vital signs in children with neurological diseases undergoing physical therapy.
- Music therapy appears to enhance the physiological stability of children during rehabilitation interventions.
- The findings support the integration of music therapy into pediatric neurological early rehabilitation programs.
Abstract:
Recent research found evidence supporting music therapy for children with neurological diseases during their hospitalized neurological early rehabilitation to promote their development during physical therapy. We hypothesized that live music therapy might improve vital signs during a physical therapy session. Seventeen children received live music therapy during the physical therapy session twice a week. Two more physical therapy sessions per week were held without music therapy. Heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded from 15 min before to 15 min after the therapy sessions. Physical therapy interventions showed changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation between, before and after the sessions with or without music therapy. Live music therapy was effective for the vital signs during the intervention. We observed significantly lower heart and respiratory rates and higher oxygen saturation during physical therapy intervention with live music therapy in general (mean differences -8.0 beats per min; -0.8 breaths per min and +0.6%). When physical therapy was applied without music therapy children's heart rates increased by 8.5 beats per min and respiratory rates increased by 1.0 breaths per min. Live music therapy leads to a decrease in heart and respiratory rates and an increase in oxygen saturation in children with neurological diseases during physical therapy with live music therapy. Music therapy supports the children in physical therapy interventions during their hospitalization.
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