Introduction
The use of music to improve patient outcomes has a long history of implementation and research. In many ways, music is preferable to other intervention methods. Music does not require intrusive actions, is easy to administer, universally appealing, and the technological progress of recent decades has made it affordable in terms of cost and resource base. At the same time, the growing body of evidence suggests its effectiveness as a means of intervention. This paper aims to examine the current evidence of the benefits of music for the patient outcome in nursing and provide insights regarding the perspective directions for further inquiry.
Mental effects
The music intervention was tested in a variety of fields. In the latest music therapy program, conducted at the NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, the music therapy administered to the dementia residents has shown a positive outcome. According to the report, the program, conducted by the certified dementia care practitioners, helped to reduce falls, violent behavior, and the use of antipsychotic medications among residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s (NYC par. 2).
The program utilized customized playlists for each patient. The results included a decrease in the required medications from 30% to 18% and zero physical altercations compared to eight instances before the therapy (NYC par. 6).
Physiological effects
Studies also were conducted to confirm the differences between the administration of musical therapy programs and exposure to non-systematic relaxing music and imagery to determine the outcomes and influence on certain physiological processes, such as blood pressure. The results of a controlled randomized trial showed the decrease of the systolic blood pressure in both groups where music was administered (Mandel, Davis, and Secic 568). The results illustrate the positive outcome is possible not only on psychological but at least in some cases on a physiological level.
Satisfaction and support
Finally, some researchers point to the positive influence on satisfaction with care. The research conducted by Burns, Perkins, Tong, Hilliard, and Cripe reviewed more than 10,000 records of cancer patients (228). In addition to the feedback analysis, the records were analyzed to determine the level of pain reduction and respiratory problems, and correlate them to the use of music therapy. While no significant difference was observed in pain levels between the patients who were subject to music therapy and those who were not, there was an increase in the satisfaction with spiritual support (Burns et al. 230).
Suggested directions
As we can see, music has a noticeable influence on patient outcomes. At the same time, its influence is not universal. Thus, the use of a well-defined framework is recommended to determine and regulate the use of music for intervention and therapy. Murdock and Higgins suggest a theory of music, mood, and movement (MMM) that utilizes physical activity guidelines to determine the efficiency of music-based intervention on the mood, and, by extension, the performance of the patients (2253).
The theory is based on the official definitions of music, psychological, and physical activities that can be found in credible medical resources. According to the authors, such structure presents an opportunity to conclusively test the hypothesis that music leads to mood improvement that results in more enjoyable physical activities.
Conclusion
The advantages of music as an intervention method are well-understood. However, at least some effects of the music on the physical state of patients are not justified. It is thus recommended to utilize a comprehensive approach to find out the relation between mood improvements as a result of exposure to music and positive patient outcomes and correlate the results to the patients’ conditions in each case.
Works Cited
Burns, Debra, Susan Perkins, Yan Tong, Russel Hilliard, and Larry Cripe. “Music Therapy is Associated with Family Perception of More Spiritual Support and Decreased Breathing Problems in Cancer Patients Receiving Hospice Care.” Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 50.2 (2015): 225-231. Print.
Mandel, Susan E., Beth A. Davis, and Michelle Secic. “Effects of Music Therapy and Music-Assisted Relaxation and Imagery on Health-Related Outcomes in Diabetes Education A Feasibility Study.” The Diabetes Educator 39.4 (2013): 568-581. Print.
Murrock, Carolyn J., and Patricia A. Higgins. “The Theory of Music, Mood and Movement to Improve Health Outcomes.” Journal of Advanced Nursing 65.10 (2009): 2249-2257. Print.
NYC Health+Hospitals. Music and Memory Program at NYC Health + Hospitals’ Skilled Nursing Facility Improves Quality Outcomes for Residents with Dementia. 2016. Web.