Music Therapy for Critical Illness

Overseen By Zachary Henry

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Must not be taking: Neuromuscular blockers

Disqualifiers: Deafness, Musicogenic epilepsy, COVID-19, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 3 days

171 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

A randomized within-subject crossover trial to compare the effects of live and recorded music listening on biomarkers of stress and pain among children receiving mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Music Therapy for Critical Illness?

Research shows that music therapy, including live and recorded music, can help reduce anxiety, decrease pain, and improve the physical response of patients in the intensive care unit. It is especially beneficial for patients on mechanical ventilation, helping them relax and manage their anxiety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is music therapy safe for critically ill patients?

Music therapy, including live and recorded music, is generally safe for critically ill patients and can help reduce anxiety and pain without causing harm. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How is music therapy different from other treatments for critical illness?

Music therapy is unique because it uses live or recorded music to help critically ill patients relax and reduce anxiety, especially those on mechanical ventilation. Unlike traditional drug treatments, it allows patients to choose their preferred music, giving them a sense of control and comfort in a stressful environment. ^{1 2 4 5 7}

Research Team

Jessica M Jarvis, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 5-17 who are intubated and on mechanical ventilation in the PICU, expected to stay over 72 hours. It's not for kids whose caregiver can't communicate in English, those with bilateral deafness, musicogenic epilepsy, COVID-19 diagnosis, new traumatic brain injury or unlikely to survive their PICU stay.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 2 months and 17 years old.

Expected to have a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) stay of more than 72 hours

I am on a breathing machine.

Exclusion Criteria

My child is deaf, has music-triggered seizures, and is getting muscle relaxant infusions.

My child was recently admitted for a new brain injury.

My child has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive live and recorded music interventions to assess effects on stress and pain biomarkers

3 days

Daily sessions in the pediatric intensive care unit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in stress and pain biomarkers post-intervention

1 month

Interviews conducted within 1 month of completing primary data collection

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Live music
• Recorded music

Trial Overview The study aims to compare how live and recorded music affect stress and pain indicators in ventilated children at the PICU. Each child will experience both interventions randomly during their stay to see which one works better.

Participant Groups

Group I: Usual care > Recorded music > Live music Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order of conditions for the day

Group II: Usual Care > Live music > Recorded music Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order of conditions for the day

Group III: Recorded music > Usual care > Live music Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order of conditions for the day

Group IV: Recorded music > Live music > Usual care Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order of conditions for the day

Group V: Live music > Usual Care > Recorded music Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order of conditions for the day

Group VI: Live music > Recorded music > Usual Care Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Order of conditions for the day

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,820

Recruited

16,360,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Findings from Research

In a study of 118 adult ICU patients on mechanical ventilation, live music therapy significantly reduced agitation and heart rate compared to standard care, indicating its efficacy in managing anxiety and physiological responses.

Patients receiving live music therapy showed improved scores on agitation and pain scales, suggesting that music therapy can be a beneficial intervention for intubated patients in critical care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Receptive Music Therapy for Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit. Golino, AJ., Leone, R., Gollenberg, A., et al.[2023]

Music therapy is effective in reducing anxiety and managing stress for critically ill patients, making it a valuable intervention in clinical settings.

The MAIT (Music and Arts in Healthcare) resource allows nurses to implement music therapy by enabling patients to choose their preferred music and negotiate listening times, which enhances their sense of control in a stressful hospital environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in critical care: indications and guidelines for intervention. Chlan, L., Tracy, MF.[2007]

Music therapy serves as a complementary treatment for critically ill patients in intensive care, enhancing the effects of conventional medical treatments.

The intervention has both physiological and psychological benefits, suggesting it can improve overall patient well-being during critical illness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in ICU. Coughlan, A.[2015]

Music listening interventions can effectively reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic tool in critical care settings.

Engaging a music therapist is crucial for assessing patient music preferences and implementing tailored music listening protocols, allowing patients to actively manage their anxiety during challenging medical experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Instituting a music listening intervention for critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation: Exemplars from two patient cases. Heiderscheit, A., Chlan, L., Donley, K.[2021]

Music interventions can effectively reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in critically ill patients, particularly those in intensive care units (ICUs).

The Music Assessment Tool (MAT) was developed to help healthcare professionals identify patients' music preferences, facilitating personalized music therapy even for patients who have communication difficulties due to medical conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Tool for Music Preference Assessment in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilatory Support. Chlan, L., Heiderscheit, A.[2021]

In a study involving 126 mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units, preferred music playlists were analyzed to understand their impact on managing anxiety through patient-directed music listening interventions.

The findings highlight the importance of music selection in therapeutic interventions, suggesting that involving a board-certified music therapist can enhance the effectiveness of music listening protocols in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Preferred Music of Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial. Heiderscheit, A., Johnson, K., Chlan, LL.[2023]

This study aims to systematically review the effects of music listening on sleep and psychological outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, in critically ill patients, using a comprehensive search of multiple scientific databases and including randomized controlled trials.

The primary focus will be on sleep-related outcomes, with a rigorous methodology to assess study quality and risk of bias, ensuring reliable results that could inform non-pharmacological interventions in critical care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of music to enhance sleep and psychological outcomes in critically ill patients: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chen, L., Wang, F., Li, J., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Receptive Music Therapy for Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in critical care: indications and guidelines for intervention. [2007]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy in ICU. [2015]

4. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Instituting a music listening intervention for critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation: Exemplars from two patient cases. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Tool for Music Preference Assessment in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilatory Support. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of Preferred Music of Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of music to enhance sleep and psychological outcomes in critically ill patients: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]