Role of music in intensive care medicine

Abstract

The role of music in intensive care medicine is still unclear. However, it is well known that music may not only improve quality of life but also effect changes in heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). Reactions to music are considered subjective, but studies suggest that cardio/cerebrovascular variables are influenced under different circumstances. It has been shown that cerebral flow was significantly lower when listening to “Va pensioero” from Verdi's “Nabucco” (70.4+3.3 cm/s) compared to “Libiam nei lieti calici” from Verdi's “La Traviata” (70.2+3.1 cm/s) (P<0,02) or Bach's Cantata No. 169 “Gott soll allein mein Herze haben” (70.9+2.9 cm/s) (P<0,02). There was no significant influence on cerebral flow in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony during rest (67.6+3.3 cm/s) or music (69.4+3.1 cm/s). It was reported that relaxing music plays an important role in intensive care medicine. Music significantly decreases the level of anxiety for patients in a preoperative setting (STAI-X-1 score 34) to a greater extent even than orally administered midazolam (STAI-X-1 score 36) (P<0.001). In addition, the score was better after surgery in the music group (STAI-X-1 score 30) compared to midazolam (STAI-X-1 score 34) (P<0.001). Higher effectiveness and absence of apparent adverse effects make relaxing, preoperative music a useful alternative to midazolam. In addition, there is sufficient practical evidence of stress reduction suggesting that a proposed regimen of listening to music while resting in bed after open-heart surgery is important in clinical use. After 30 min of bed rest, there was a significant difference in cortisol levels between the music (484.4 mmol/l) and the non-music group (618.8 mmol/l) (P<0.02). Vocal and orchestral music produces significantly better correlations between cardiovascular and respiratory signals in contrast to uniform emphasis (P<0.05). The most benefit on health in intensive care medicine patients is visible in classical (Bach, Mozart or Italian composers) music and meditation music, whereas heavy metal music or techno are not only ineffective but possibly dangerous and can lead to stress and/or life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly in intensive care medicine patients.

Music decreases aortic stiffness and wave reflections

“…Our study may have important clinical implications supporting the preventive and therapeutic role of music. Indeed, a growing body of evidence focuses on the favorable effect of music in patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent revascularization [29,30] and on the potential to decrease risk of future events, including reinfarction and death [31]. The findings of this study provide an explanation according to which music stimulus may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system.…”

“…Music is used more and more frequently as a therapeutic tool in patients with cardiovascular diseases [29,30]. Listening to favorite music alone and in addition to regular exercise training improves vascular function and has been used as an adjunct method in the rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease [31].…”

“…Moreover, catecholamines may play a role in the changes observed because noradrenaline infusion has been shown to increase aortic as well as systemic stiffness [41]. Indeed, lower plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels have been associated with music therapy in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease [29].…”

Attitudes towards music as a means of therapy: can it help to overcome depression and/or cardiovascular disease?

“…classical) is widely claimed to improve quality of life and serve as an effective way for the reduction of pain, reduction of blood pressure, improvement in cardiorespiratory variables, such as heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), reduction of chronic headaches and migraines, boosting of immunity and at the same time it is claimed to enhance intelligence, learning and IQ (especially memory performance, concentration, attention, reading and literacy skills, spatialtemporal reasoning and mathematical abilities). [1][2][3][4][5] Although, not all studies show the same magical influence of music on human health and cognition, [6][7][8][9][10][11] it is interesting to explore what are the attitudes of people for music, health and psychology, especially from a different cultural and musical background (as is the case for Greece).The purpose of this study was to reveal something still unknown: the attitudes that young adults have for music and its applications on psychology-psychiatry. 300 volunteers (188 women, 112 men; mean age = 21.91 years, SD = 4.95) filled a short demographic survey (age, sex, education, profession) along with a brief semi-structured questionnaire.…”

“…Can music improve the quality of life in chronic disease? (82% yes, 18% no), 4. In what way does music influence your health?…”