Effects of music therapy on mood, pain, and satisfaction in the neurologic inpatient setting

Abstract

Purpose

Music therapy (MT) has been used in health care settings for a wide variety of treatment goals. Many inpatients with neurologic impairments struggle with low mood and pain for which MT may be a novel adjunct treatment. The aims of this study were to: (1) evaluate change in mood and pain following a single MT session; (2) explore the impact of an MT program on mood, pain and satisfaction from the perspective of the patient, family and staff.

Materials and methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted. Forty participants completed pre/post MT surveys evaluating mood, pain and satisfaction. Individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 14 MT program participants (inpatients), 5 family members of participants and 16 staff.

Results

There was significant improvement in mood (p < 0.001) and decrease in pain (p < 0.05) from pre-to-post MT with 74% reporting being “very satisfied” with the session. “Benefits of MT” was the overarching theme of the qualitative data. Subthemes were emotional regulation, pain management, effects on self-concept, enjoyment, and social connectedness.

Conclusions

Improvements in mood and pain were reported from pre-to-post MT session and in interviews. Further evaluation of MT effectiveness against standard of care rehabilitation and cost implications is required.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Music therapy (MT) is delivered by accredited music therapists (MTAs) in health care settings, including rehabilitation units, as an individual, group or co-treatment therapy.

• MT can be used for a range of health outcomes, including the treatment of mood and pain, in addition to improving inpatient satisfaction.

• Early evidence using pre/post MT surveys suggests an improvement in mood and pain following a single therapy session.

• Qualitative data suggest overall benefit of offering MT services in addition to standard neurorehabilitation therapy, including improvements to emotional regulation, pain management, self-concept, enjoyment, and social connectedness.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injury
• brain injury
• music therapy
• music
• mood
• pain
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Robyn Wells and Mary-Anne Ostapovitch for their help with data collection and JB Music Therapy for providing MT services and accommodating data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data is available upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Supporters of the National Music Center (Studio Bell). The funder did not have any role in study design, data collection, or data analysis.