J Clin Nurs. 2008 Sep 4. [Epub ahead of print]
Chan MF, Chung YF, Chung SW, Lee OK.
Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, National University of Singapore,
Singapore.
Aims. To determine whether definable subtypes exist within a cohort of patients
listening to music with regard to their physiological patterns and to compare
whether associated factors vary between subjects in groups with different
profiles. Background. The intensive care unit (ICU) is one of the most stressful
environments for patients among various clinical settings in a hospital. ICU
patients are not only compromised by illness but also faced with a wide range of
stressors. Design. A repeated-measures design was conducted with one music group.
Method. One hundred and one patients were recruited in three intensive care units
in Hong Kong. There were two main outcome variables: demographic characteristics
and physiological outcomes. Results. A cluster analysis yielded two clusters.
Patients in cluster 1 typically experienced relatively low therapeutic effects
from listening to music. There were more males, of a younger age but more
educated and employed than patients in cluster 2, and they represented 41.6% of
the total respondents. Cluster 2 comprised almost 58.4% of this study sample and
they reported high therapeutic effects of music. There were more females in this
group as well as more older people and they mainly used a ventilator in the
intensive care unit. Conclusion. Our study shows that music may have a more
positive effect on groups of patients whose profile is similar to that of the
patients in cluster 2, than for patients such as those in cluster 1. A clear
profile may help health professionals to design appropriate care therapy to
target a specific group of patients to improve their physiological outcomes.
Relevance to clinical practice. The implication of this study is that music
therapy should be provided to patients as a relaxation technique if they are
willing to accept it, and the selection of music should be based on their
preferences. Information should be given to patients so that they can understand
how music therapy works and they should be encouraged to focus their attention on
listening to the music to maximise its benefits.