Therapeutic Music Sessions for Critical Illness

Overseen By Gail Mayo

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Isolation, Hypotension, Bradycardia, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether therapeutic music can help patients in the ICU, along with their families and staff, feel better and more relaxed. The goal is to determine if music can reduce stress, improve sleep, and ease discomfort for everyone involved. The trial is open to adults currently in the ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, their family members, and the clinical staff present during the music sessions. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to innovative research that could enhance well-being in critical care settings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that therapeutic music sessions are safe for ICU patients?

Research shows that therapeutic music is generally safe for seriously ill patients, with no harmful effects found. Studies also report that listening to music can help critically ill patients sleep better. It reduces anxiety, pain, and stress. In one study, patients in the cardiac ICU who listened to music experienced a significant drop in heart rate and blood pressure. This suggests that music can be calming and helpful, especially in stressful places like the ICU. Overall, therapeutic music is well-tolerated and safe for people in critical care. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about therapeutic music sessions for critical illness because they offer a non-invasive, drug-free approach to patient care. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medications, which can have side effects, music therapy uses sound to potentially reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. This unique treatment taps into the healing power of music, aiming to create a calming environment that may enhance recovery and provide comfort to patients in critical care settings.

What evidence suggests that therapeutic music sessions might be an effective treatment for critical illness?

Research has shown that music therapy can greatly benefit ICU patients. Studies have found that it helps reduce anxiety and pain, which is especially helpful in critical care. One study pointed out that music therapy allows patients to express their feelings and improves their overall quality of life. Music can also help patients relax, potentially lowering stress and improving sleep. These findings suggest that music therapy can positively impact those facing serious illness. Participants in this trial will receive Therapeutic Music Sessions to evaluate these potential benefits. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Joseph J. Schlesinger

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult ICU patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, their family members, and ICU staff present during music sessions. Excluded are those with certain isolation precautions, unstable vital signs, pregnant women, prisoners, or anyone unable to communicate in English.

Inclusion Criteria

Patient Inclusion Criteria: Current hospitalization in adult ICU at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Family Member Inclusion Criteria: Family member of ICU patient

ICU Clinical Staff Inclusion Criteria: ICU clinical staff who are in the patient's room during the music session

Exclusion Criteria

I am not pregnant, imprisoned, or in isolation. My blood pressure and heart rate are stable. I can communicate in English and am willing to participate.

ICU Clinical Staff Exclusion Criteria: Refusal to participate

My family member cannot communicate in English or refuses to participate.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Therapeutic Music Session

Participants receive a therapeutic music session in the ICU to assess its impact on pain, anxiety, and relaxation

20 minutes

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants, family members, and ICU staff provide feedback on the acceptability, impact, and feasibility of the music intervention

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Therapeutic Music Session

Trial Overview

The study aims to assess the impact of live therapeutic music sessions on relaxation and pain relief among critically ill patients in the ICU as well as its effects on their families and medical staff.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Therapeutic Music Session Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

922

Recruited

939,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

A systematic review of six studies involving critically ill adults found limited evidence supporting the use of music for reducing sedation and analgesia requirements, with only one study showing a potential benefit.

Overall, the review concluded that there is insufficient evidence to confirm the effectiveness of music in reducing delirium in critically ill patients, and no studies were found involving pediatric or neonatal populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of music on sedation, analgesia and delirium in critically ill patients. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Garcia Guerra, G., Almeida, L., Zorzela, L., et al.[2020]

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]

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]

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 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]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12202193/

Impact of Music Therapy on Patients in the Critical Care Unit

This study delves into music therapy as a promising intervention that alleviates stress, fosters emotional expression and enhances patients' quality of life.

2.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-critical-illness-6-2022-9474f

Therapeutic Music Sessions for Critical Illness

Research shows that music therapy can help reduce anxiety, decrease pain, and improve the overall well-being of critically ill patients, especially those in ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1036731424002996

A systematic review of the comparative effects of sound ...

Overall, both music selected by researcher/music therapist or patient are found effective in alleviating psychological outcomes in ICU patients. Ames et al ...

4.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40571592/

Impact of Music Therapy on Patients in the Critical Care Unit

This study delves into music therapy as a promising intervention that alleviates stress, fosters emotional expression and enhances patients' quality of life.

5.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03280329

Generalized Versus Personalized Music Therapy in the ...

A recent meta analysis (21) reveals that listening to music can cause a reduction of anxiety levels in mechanically ventilated patients; some studies show, ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8112442/

Use of music to enhance sleep and psychological outcomes in ...

Repeated studies have specifically reported music listening improved sleep in critically ill patients. Furthermore, music listening is ...

7.

acc.org

acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2025/09/18/14/03/Hitting-the-Right-Note-The-Healing-Power-of-Music-Therapy-in-the-Cardiac-ICU

The Healing Power of Music Therapy in the Cardiac ICU

The results found that patients in the music therapy group had a significant decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood ...

8.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01763736

Medical Use of Song In Critical Care (MUSIC)

The objective of this research study is to assess the effects of music on patients' experience in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The hypothesis ...