Live music in the intensive care unit – a beautiful experience
February 29th, 2024
Aarhus, Denmark
Pia Dreyer, Linette Thorn, Trine Højfeldt Lund , Margrethe Langer Bro
This study explored how awake intensive care patients experienced live music tailored to them. Observations and interviews across 18 music sessions showed that music offered a calming break from the stressful ICU environment and evoked meaningful emotions, especially when familiar. Some patients felt too tired to engage, highlighting the need to adapt sessions to their energy and preferences.
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2024.2322755
Posted byGrace McKinstry
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Abstract/Description
Background
The growing number of lightly or non-sedated patients who are critically ill means that more patients experience the noisy and stressful environment. Live music may create positive and meaningful moments.
Purpose
To explore non-sedated patients’ experiences of patient-tailored live music interventions in the intensive care unit.
Design
A qualitative study using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Data were collected at two intensive care units from September 2019 to February 2020 exploring 18 live music interventions performed by music students from The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, Denmark.
Methods
Observations of live music interventions followed by patient interviews. All data together were analysed using Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used.
Results
Five themes emerged: 1) A break from everyday life, 2) A room with beautiful sounds and emotions, 3) Too tired to participate, 4) Knowing the music makes it meaningful and 5) A calm and beautiful moment.
Conclusion
Patient-tailored live music to awake patients is both feasible and acceptable and perceived as a break from every-day life in the ICU.
Implications for practice
Supporting health and well-being by bringing a humanizing resource into the intensive care setting for patients and nurses to enjoy.
The growing number of lightly or non-sedated patients who are critically ill means that more patients experience the noisy and stressful environment. Live music may create positive and meaningful moments.
Purpose
To explore non-sedated patients’ experiences of patient-tailored live music interventions in the intensive care unit.
Design
A qualitative study using a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Data were collected at two intensive care units from September 2019 to February 2020 exploring 18 live music interventions performed by music students from The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, Denmark.
Methods
Observations of live music interventions followed by patient interviews. All data together were analysed using Ricoeur’s theory of interpretation. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used.
Results
Five themes emerged: 1) A break from everyday life, 2) A room with beautiful sounds and emotions, 3) Too tired to participate, 4) Knowing the music makes it meaningful and 5) A calm and beautiful moment.
Conclusion
Patient-tailored live music to awake patients is both feasible and acceptable and perceived as a break from every-day life in the ICU.
Implications for practice
Supporting health and well-being by bringing a humanizing resource into the intensive care setting for patients and nurses to enjoy.
