Music has long been considered a therapy to help behavioral and mental health patients cope with challenges and ease stress. As healthcare continues to makes strides in improving the experience for all patients, clinicians are finding that music can benefit a variety of patient populations in both inpatient and outpatient facilities.
Patients undergoing a conscious treatment or procedure can benefit greatly from listening to soothing music; helping them relax and decrease muscle tension. This helps reduce a patient’s pain by shifting their focus and lowering anxiety.
Studies have shown that participants who listened to music had decreased pain intensity, emotional distress from pain, improved vital signs, and a decrease in amount of pain relief medication taken. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate were all found to be lower when patients listened to music. Overall, people rated their pain intensity one point lower on a zero to ten scale after music sessions, compared to patients that received no music.
As your organization continues to enhance the patient experience, consider the different care environments that could benefit from music.
