The Effect of Music Intervention on CAM Scores of Hospitalized Older Adults Experiencing Delirium

Abstract

Older adults are vulnerable to developing while hospitalized is delirium.Research has shown that non-pharmacological interventions are effective in managing delirium and should be the first-line of treatment; however despite this, nurses fmd it difficult to address delirium. The purpose of this research study is to examine the effectiveness of classical music intervention in hospitalized older adults experiencing delirium by evaluating their Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) scores.A pre-and-post study design to compare the CAM scores of patients before and after music intervention was implemented. Study participants were patients 65 years and older identified to be experiencing delirium by a CAM score of greater than 6 admitted to a medical unit of a community hospital. In a sample of 8 study participants, the paired ttest revealed the post-CAM score after music was played showed an average of0.3 points lower than the pre-CAM (p = .39). Though the results of the study did not show a statistically significant difference, the study's participants' responses suggest that music, as an adjunct intervention, could aid in the management of delirium. These fmdings indicate the need to for further research in examining the relationship between music and delirium.

Pharmacological Treatment of Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit

“…Music therapy continues to gain popularity as part of the non-pharmacological intervention in Delirium. While using the Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES) and Observed Emotion Rating Scale (OERS) to measure the effect of music on engagement and mood, Cheong et al [27] discovered that there is a statistically significant change in passive and constructive engagement according to the MPES and general alertness during the creative music therapy. An essential discovery is that the positive changes were discovered when the patient's favorite music was played.…”

“…Drawing from the Heuristic model which consists of five musical features including communication modulation, cognitive modulation, behavior modulation, emotional modulation, and attention modulation, the importance of musical experiences on one cognitive welfare are discussed. Cheong et al [27] note that musical therapy is an effective nursing intervention which is used to reduce Delirium and confusion especially among the elderly. In addition, therapy is used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation among these patients.…”

“…Current and widely applied non-pharmacological interventions include patient and family awareness through nursing education, addressing dehydration, providing the patient with nutrition supplements, occupational and physical therapy, using hearing aids, providing the patient with visual covers, and reducing the number of visits [5]. Music therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention has also been explored and noted to decrease the level of anxiety and confusion of the patient [26,27]. However, more studies are required to explore the relationship between music therapy further and preventing or treating Delirium.…”