Abstract / Summary
Introduction: Mechanical Ventilation (MV) is a crucial, life-sustaining treatment, but it frequently causes significant changes in physiological parameters and may challenge recovery. Research suggests music-based interventions to stabilise vital signs during MV. However, studies investigating specific music therapy techniques addressing physiological well-being in patients on MV are scarce. Aim: To identify the effect of the Nature-based Sounds (NBS) vs Patient Preferred Music (PPM) intervention on physiological parameters in patients under MV support. Materials and Methods: This pilot randomised clinical study was conducted with mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of tertiary hospitals in Mangaluru and Madikeri, Karnataka, India, from March 1 to June 30 2025. A total of 45 patients > 18 years were divided into: (1) Intervention Group 1 (IG1): standard care + NBS; (2) IG2: standard care + PPM; and (3) control group: standard care alone, using simple randomisation following the closed-envelope method for 30 minutes using headphones. The outcome measures assessed were physiological parameters (heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, SpO2, and pain) before the intervention and at the 15th minute, 30th minute, and after 30 minutes of intervention. Pain was assessed using the Non verbal Pain Scale- Revised (NVPS-Revised). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests. Results: Both experimental groups exhibited significantly lower mean heart rate, blood pressure, and pain levels alongside the maintenance of normal oxygen saturation in comparison with pre-test values (p<0.001). A progressive decrease in these values at the 15th, 30th minutes and 30 minutes post-intervention indicated a cumulative dose effect. Notably, these variations were not evident during between-group analysis. Conclusion: Music of any kind, either NBS or PPM, stabilises physiological parameters and also serves as a distraction from pain in MV patients. This improvement underscores the music effectiveness in addressing problems associated with MV, enhancing adherence to complementary therapy and contributing to safer healthcare delivery and improved patient outcomes.