“RELAXATION, MUSIC AND CARDIOLOGY: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR INTERRELATION”

The Effects of Music Therapy in Cardiac Healthcare

Music therapy has been applied with patients who present with acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, and other cardiac conditions. Music therapists integrate their techniques into cardiac care units, often treating patients who require assistance in coping with stress. This article reviews the research supporting the use of music as therapy and offers case examples to illustrate a variety of clinical methods.

The effects of music on cardiac patients on bed rest

Hospitalizations that require invasive cardiac procedures or support with an intra-aortic balloon pump can be unsettling. This study was undertaken to measure the effect of a music intervention on physiologic and psychological responses of patients on bed rest due to procedural sheaths or an intra-aortic balloon pump. A randomized, two-group, pretest/post-test design was utilized to measure the effect of a 30-minute music intervention on heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin temperature, pain perception, and mood states. One hundred forty subjects participated, 65 in the control group and 75 in the treatment group. There were no significant differences between the groups in demographic, clinical, or baseline variables, except for respiratory rate. After the music intervention, there were reductions in blood pressure, respiratory rate, and psychological distress, as measured by the Profile of Mood States (p < 0.05). Music appeared to affect selected physiologic responses and reduce psychological distress in patients on bed rest.

Effect of music therapy on state anxiety in patients undergoing flexible sigmoidoscopy

PURPOSE

Patient anxiety related to flexible sigmoidoscopy can negatively affect acceptability and compliance with screening protocol, complicate and prolong procedure time, and potentially result in prematurely aborted procedures. Music has been recognized through research as a safe, inexpensive, and effective nonpharmaceutical anxiolitic agent.

METHODS

An experimental study was performed on 50 adults scheduled for outpatient sigmoidoscopy. The control group received standard sigmoidoscopy protocol. Subjects in the experimental group received the standard protocol with the addition of listening to music throughout the procedure. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measurements were performed on all subjects before and postsigmoidoscopy. Physiologic recordings of heart rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded before and during the procedure.

RESULTS

Patients who listened to self-selected music tapes during the procedure had significantly decreased STAI scores (P < 0.002), heart rates (P < 0.03), and mean arterial pressures (P < 0.001) in comparison to the control subjects.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study indicate that music is an effective anxiolitic adjunct to flexible sigmoidoscopy.

A review of nursing strategies to reduce patient anxiety in coronary care. Part 2

Illness and associated hospitalisation are stressful events for any individual. The stress associated with an admission to a coronary care unit may be related to the severity and acuteness of the illness, the effects of hospitalisation on the individual, their family, their job and financial position, and often manifests itself as anxiety, fear or depression. This paper highlights the use of anxiety reduction strategies such as muscle relaxation, music, education and counseling. The literature reviewed does not provide any clear messages regarding the effectiveness of these strategies in the coronary care unit setting. As a consequence, there is a need to continue researching this important area of nursing practice.

Measuring patient anxiety in coronary care. Part 1

Patient anxiety is a common problem identified by nurses. However, the difficulty of assessing the level and significance of the anxiety is problematic. This paper discusses the issue of measuring patient anxiety, specifically in Coronary Care. As well as discussing physiological measures, three appropriate psychometric instruments are identified (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory--STAI; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale--HAD; a Linear Analogue Anxiety Scale--LAAS), along with a review of the relevant literature. Systematic anxiety measurement, and management of maladaptive anxiety would appear to be appropriate and meaningful nursing functions within the provision of holistic patient care in Coronary Care.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on trait anxiety

To measure the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on trait and state anxiety of 27 college students enrolled in a class intended for stress reduction the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale was administered prior to and immediately after training. Pulse rates and peripheral skin temperatures were measured for each student prior to and after training. A significant decrease was evidenced in trait anxiety scores after training. A significant drop was found in pulse rates and a significant increase found in skin temperature responses immediately following training.

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation and music on stress as measured by finger temperature response

Measured the efficacy of music, progressive muscle relaxation, and a combination of both variables on tension reduction. Ss were three sections (N = 76) of an introductory music class. Each section received either sedative music (M), progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), or both (M + PMR) as treatment. Vasoconstriction, or finger temperature, was used to measure stress level prior to and after the intervention. All three groups evidenced significant increases in finger temperature. There was no significant difference among treatment groups, although the M + PMR group's mean increase was greater than the grand mean, while the M and PMR groups' increases were below the grand mean.