Music Reduces Patient Anxiety During Interfacility Ground Critical Care Transport
Abstract
Introduction
Interfacility ground critical care transport (CCT) of patients by ambulance may be stressful. This study evaluated whether playing music during CCT reduces patient anxiety and whether objective evidence is manifested by a change in vital signs.
Setting
Urban teaching hospital.
Methods
In this prospective cohort study, music was played for eligible adult patients during CCT while recording vital signs. A questionnaire was subsequently mailed to patients to rate whether the ambulance transport was stressful, the impact music had on transport, whether music changed their anxiety, whether music made them comfortable and relaxed, and whether they would prefer music to be played on future transports. Vital signs were compared between respondents who perceived transport as stressful and those who did not.
Results
One hundred two patients were enrolled; 23 respondents (22.5%) constituted the study group. Four patients (17.4%) reported CCT as stressful (average response, 4.75). Nineteen (82.6%) rated CCT as not stressful (average response, 1.63). Subjectively, patients reported a positive impact of music on transport, with improved comfort and relaxation but only a minimal decrease in anxiety. No statistically significant change in vital signs was observed between cohorts; too few patients were enrolled to generate power to detect any difference.
Conclusions
Music therapy is a simple adjunct for use during CCT that may increase patient comfort and alleviate anxiety. The small number of patients in this preliminary report limits the strength of any conclusions. Larger studies are needed.
bUniversity of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Department of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine, Newark, NJ
cUniversity of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, University Emergency Medical Services, Newark, NJ
Address for correspondence: David FE Stuhlmiller, MD, FACEP, CMTE, New York Medical College, Emergency Medical Associates of Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595
Poster presentation at the Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference in Las Vegas, NV, April 3, 2006.
Oral presentation at the New Jersey Office of EMS Statewide Conference on EMS in Atlantic City, NJ, November 6, 2006.
ABSTRACT