Sound and music interventions in psychiatry at Aalborg University Hospital

Abstract

This article reports on the ongoing project development and research study ‘A New Sound and Music Milieu at Aalborg University Hospital’. Based on a number of pilot studies in AUH-Psychiatry on how special playlists and sound equipment (sound pillows and portable players) can be used by hospital patients and administered by hospital staff supervised by music therapists, the new project aims to prepare the ground for a systematic application of sound and music in the hospital environment. A number of playlists have been developed, based on theoretical and empirical research in music medicine and music therapy. A special software and hardware design – ‘The Music Star’– has been developed, and installed in combination with a directional line array speaker in patient rooms in two ICUs at the AUH–Psychiatry. The aim of the project is to empower patients to choose music suited to their needs here and now. In the study we focus on how self-selected music may lead to a decrease in anxiety and pain or improved relaxation/sleep. The article describes and discusses the theory-driven development of the sound/music milieu, relevant empirical studies, the novel method of data collection, preliminary results of the project and implications for the future implementation of the model.

Music in Seclusion Rooms–Development, Implementation, and Initial Testing of a Music Listening Device

“…With respect to usefulness, three main topics emerged from the interviews with the caregivers. The first was in line with expectations and previous interventions (Gerdner, 1992;Lund et al, 2016;Topo et al, 2004) in that the device allowed patients to make choices and decisions, thereby increasing their feeling of autonomy and self-determination. The second topic was that the device appeared to help some patients regain control over themselves and their behavior.…”

“…This is in line with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2; Venkatesch, & Davis, 2000), according to which acceptance is contingent on positively rated usability and usefulness. However, we could also see that this overall acceptance of the new music listening device did not lead to the full integration of the new procedures and routines related to it, a difficulty also mentioned by Lund et al (2016).…”

“…Finally, there is the Danish "Music Star" (Lund, Bertelsen, & Bonde, 2016) consisting of various playlists and a sound system and implemented as a permanent installation in patient rooms in psychiatric intensive care units. Here again, the aim is to empower patients to "choose music suited to their needs and preferences, counteracting the general tendency to pacify patients in the hospital milieu" (p. 52).…”

“…The use of radio and music players is widespread in psychiatric institutions, and in some cases, rooms are even equipped with an audio system to play music. Several music listening interventions or devices have already been developed specifically for the context of psychiatric care (Gerdner, 1992;Lund et al, 2016;Topo et al, 2004). All of them propose a thought-out selection of music pieces to the listeners, and give them the possibility to choose music suited to their needs and preferences, thus supporting their autonomy.…”

Music to improve sleep quality in adults with depression-related insomnia (MUSTAFI): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…A high score reflects the subjective experience of high QOL. The use of WHO-QOL-BREF is validated [23].…”