A randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of music and relaxation interventions on perceived anxiety in hospitalized patients receiving orthopaedic or cancer treatment.
BACKGROUND
Nonpharmacological interventions, including combinations of music, education, coping skills, and relaxation techniques, have been found to have a positive effect on patients' perceived anxiety in many settings. However, few research studies have assessed and compared the effectiveness of music and relaxation interventions in reducing the anxiety levels of orthopaedic and oncology patients.


OBJECTIVE
We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to examine the effectiveness of music and relaxation interventions on perceived anxiety during initial hospitalization for patients receiving orthopaedic or cancer care treatment at a Midwestern teaching hospital.


METHODS
This was a pre-test/post-test study design utilizing the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. One hundred twelve patients were randomized into 3 study groups. Thirty-eight subjects (34%) were randomized in the music-focused relaxation group, 35 subjects (31%) in the music and video group, and 39 (35%) subjects in the control group. Fifty-seven (51%) were orthopaedic patients and 55 (49%) were oncology patients.


RESULTS
Comparison of the 3 study groups showed no statistically significant differences with regard to patients' demographics. Although reduced anxiety levels were reported for all 3 groups postintervention, the differences were not statistically significant (p > .05). Also, there was no significant difference found between the perceived anxiety levels of patients admitted to the orthopaedic and oncology care units (p > .05). Finally, the results of the intragroup comparisons (regardless of the group assignment) showed a significant decrease in anxiety levels reported by all patients postintervention (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Music and relaxation interventions could be an additional tool in assisting patients to become less anxious during their hospital stay. Music focused relaxation and music and video are both valuable and cost-effective strategies that can assist the orthopaedic and oncology patient population. Identifying opportunities to make these interventions easily accessible to healthcare professionals can assist in the management of patient anxiety during hospitalization.
Diane R. Eckhouse, MS, APN, OCNS-C, Orthopaedic Advanced Practice Nurse, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Mary Hurd, BSN, RN, MHA, Manager, the Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Susan Cotter-Schaufele, MA, MT-BC, FAMI, Music Therapy Supervisor, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Suela Sulo, PhD, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Manager, James R. & Helen D. Russell Institute for Research & Innovation, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Malgorzata Sokolowski, MSN, APN, AOCNS, Oncology Advanced Practice Nurse, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Laurel Barbour, MSN, APN, AOCN, was an Oncology Advanced Practice Nurse, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and the Center for Advanced Care, Park Ridge, IL.
Diane R
DR
Eckhouse
Mary
M
Hurd
Susan
S
Cotter-Schaufele
Suela
S
Sulo
Malgorzata
M
Sokolowski
Laurel
L
Barbour
D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009146:Music; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009985:Orthopedics; D012064:Relaxation Therapy