Effectiveness of Music-Based Intervention in Improving Uncomfortable Symptoms in ICU Patients: An Umbrella Review

Abstract

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients experience multiple uncomfortable symptoms, which may be alleviated using music-based intervention, a nondrug treatment. This umbrella review aims to combine the data of systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of music-based intervention in improving uncomfortable symptoms in ICU patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed on the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Airiti Library, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Web of Science databases, and Epistemonikos. The search had no language restrictions, and articles on the improvement of symptoms using music-based intervention in adult ICU patients were included. This review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021240327). Results: This umbrella review retrieved 5 systematic reviews and 41 original studies, including 39 randomized controlled trials, and 2 nonrandomized controlled trials. Diverse music was the most common music type used for music-based intervention, the intervention music was typically decided by the study participants (61%), and most subjects underwent one intervention session (78%). Furthermore, most music intervention sessions lasted for 30 min (44%). The positive results included decreased anxiety, decreased pain, decreased agitation, decreased anesthesia dose and sedative use, decreased chances of delirium, decreased feelings of uncomfort, and improved sleep quality. Conclusions: A systematic review on the effectiveness of music-based intervention in improving uncomfortable symptoms in ICU patients revealed that 20–30 min intervention sessions showed the best improvement in the uncomfortable symptoms in patients. This study provides a basis for using music-based intervention to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms in critically ill ICU patients, and a reference for empirical clinical practice.

The Effect of Music as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention on the Physiological, Psychological, and Social Response of Patients in an Intensive Care Unit

“…Han L. et al showed that a music session stabilized vital signs in invasively ventilated patients [ 18 ]. One 20–30 min session of musical intervention can relieve pain in patients [ 36 ]. According to Cousin et al, music therapy is a method that can be successfully used in an intensive care unit and is accompanied by a high level of recognition not only by the families of patients staying at the ICU but, above all, by the staff working there [ 31 ].…”

The Effect of Listening to the Holy Qur’an Recitation Therapy onPhysiological Parameters and Neuropsychological Functionsin Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Narrative Reviewfrom Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Point of View

“…It is stated that music-based interventions can improve symptoms of discomfort and gain reassurance in the ICU. Many different types of music are used for this purpose, but a 20-30 minute session of listening to music showed the best improvement in symptoms [12]. Another study provided music therapy for 20 minutes for 3 consecutive days in addition to standard care to reduce anxiety and stabilize physiological parameters in ICU patients [24].…”

“…Music-based intervention is a method that is generally accepted and used in different cultures. Relaxing music is the most commonly used type of music [12]. The Holy Qur'an recitation (HQR) therapy was also developed as a supplementary therapy for ICU patients.…”

The effect of listening to music during continuous positive airway pressure on agitation levels and compliance of intensive care patients with COVID‐19: A randomized controlled trial

“…Music therapy, which is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) with the code 4400, has been found to have pain, anxiety and stress-reducing effects, affect the patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation values, enable relaxation and increase patient comfort. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] In a systematic review update conducted by Bradt and Dileo, 17 it was stated that listening to music reduced anxiety, decreased systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate and decreased the use of sedatives and analgesics but did not improve oxygen saturation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. In the study performed by Dallı et al, 18 it was reported that music intervention controlled delirium, pain, need for sedation and anxiety in intensive care patients.…”

“…Therefore, the nursing care of the patient receiving CPAP therapy should aim to facilitate the patient's relaxation and compliance with CPAP. Music therapy, which is included in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) with the code 4400, has been found to have pain, anxiety and stress‐reducing effects, affect the patient's blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation values, enable relaxation and increase patient comfort 8–16 …”