Impact of Music Therapy on Patients in the Critical Care Unit: A Qualitative Study

Music therapy is the use of music by a trained professional to help people improve their health, emotions or well-being. It can involve listening to music, playing instruments, singing or writing songs as part of therapy. In intensive care settings, music therapy plays a pivotal role in patient-centred care. This study delves into the experiences of critically ill patients, underscoring music's capacity to evoke emotions and transcend linguistic barriers. This study delves into music therapy as a promising intervention that alleviates stress, fosters emotional expression and enhances patients' quality of life.

The aim of this study is to find out what the intensive care patient's experience is like during a music therapy session and their perception of its influence on their disease process and subsequent recovery.

This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. A qualified music therapist conducted a 20-min music therapy session with a sample of 14 patients in the Critical Care Unit. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews.

After analysis of the results, three main themes have emerged: (1) humanising and accompanying the critical care experience; (2) music therapy as a form of relaxation; and (3) relief and recovery through music therapy.

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often feel stressed, vulnerable and isolated from their everyday environment. Music therapy offers a temporary escape, providing comfort and emotional connection and helping to reduce stress and anxiety. This therapy can awaken memories and emotions, stimulating cognition and facilitating emotional expression, which is crucial for patients with confusion or cognitive difficulties. In addition, it acts as an effective distraction from pain, improving mood and response to treatments, thus benefiting emotional recovery and coping.

This study advocates for the integration of music therapy programmes in the ICU, emphasising their benefits in reducing stress, alleviating pain and enhancing emotional well-being. The findings contribute to the development of protocols with specific recommendations for its effective implementation. Furthermore, the study highlights the crucial role of nurses as key facilitators in enabling the incorporation of music therapists into the healthcare team through an interdisciplinary approach. Their involvement promotes collaboration among professionals and encourages the use of non-pharmacological interventions. Additionally, it underscores the importance of nurse participation in the creation of protocols to ensure their applicability and effectiveness in clinical practice. The research supports music therapy as a valuable complementary approach in intensive care.