Use of Musical Intervention in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of a Developing Country: A Pilot Pre-Post Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Intensive Care
• Clinical Music Intervention
• Pain and Anxiety Management

Background:

• Music is a recognized low-cost intervention for reducing pain, anxiety, and improving relaxation in clinical settings.
• Its application in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), particularly in developing countries, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a music intervention for pediatric patients in an Iraqi PICU.
• To evaluate music's impact on sedation levels and vital signs.

Main Methods:

• A pilot pre-post study involving 59 children (≤16 years) admitted to a PICU in Iraq.
• The COMFORT Behavior Scale (CBS) was used to measure sedation levels.
• Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored.

Main Results:

• Music intervention significantly lowered COMFORT Behavior Scale scores by 2.2 points after 30 minutes and 3.3 points after 60 minutes.
• Heart rate decreased by 6.3 beats per minute after 30 minutes and 9.1 beats per minute after 60 minutes.
• No significant changes were observed in other vital signs.

Conclusions:

• Music intervention is feasible and effective in reducing sedation and heart rate in pediatric intensive care patients in a developing country.
• Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings regarding CBS and heart rate variations.