title: Effects of vibroacoustic stimulation in music therapy for palliative care patients: a feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aimed at examining whether methodological strategies from a previously implemented study design could be transferred to the evaluation of the psychological and physiological effects of a music therapy intervention working with vibroacoustic stimulation in palliative care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine participants suffering from advanced cancer took part in single-sessions of music therapy, lasting for 30 min. The live music therapy intervention utilized singing chair sounds and vocal improvisation. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to assess self-ratings of pain, relaxation, and well-being before and after each session. During the intervention, we continuously recorded heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of autonomic functioning. Data collection was complemented by a semi-structured interview to explore subjective experiences in more detail. Feasibility was defined as the ability to complete 80 % of the sessions in accordance with the study protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 5 out of 9 sessions (55 %) it was possible to deliver the intervention and obtain all data as intended. VAS assessment was feasible, although graphical and statistical examination revealed only marginal mean changes between pre and post. HRV recordings were subject to artifacts. While HRV parameters differed between individuals, mean changes over time remained relatively constant. Interview data confirmed that the individual perception was very heterogeneous, ranging from "calming" to "overwhelming".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The criterion of feasibility was not met in this study. Physiological data showed high attrition rates, most likely due to movement artifacts and reduced peripheral blood flow in some participants' extremities. Examination of individual-level trajectories revealed that vibroacoustic stimulation may have an impact on the autonomic response. However, the direction and mechanisms of effects needs to be further explored in future studies.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  German Clinical Trials Register - DRKS00006137 (July 4(th), 2014).
authors.affiliation: Centre of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 131, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. marco.warth@hochschule-heidelberg.de.|School of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH University Heidelberg, Maria-Probst-Strasse 3, 69123, Heidelberg, Germany. marco.warth@hochschule-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warth
authors.affiliation: Centre of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 131, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. jens.kessler@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.affiliation: School of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH University Heidelberg, Maria-Probst-Strasse 3, 69123, Heidelberg, Germany. svenja.kotz@stud.hochschule-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Svenja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotz
authors.affiliation: School of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH University Heidelberg, Maria-Probst-Strasse 3, 69123, Heidelberg, Germany. thomas.hillecke@hochschule-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Hillecke
authors.affiliation: Centre of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 131, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. hubert.bardenheuer@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Hubert J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Bardenheuer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music / Q000523:psychology; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D014732:Vibration