The Integration of Music Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit: Health Care Professionals' Experience of an Emerging Paradigm
Verónica Saldaña‐Ortiz, María Caballero‐Galilea, Vanesa Intriago‐García Consuegra, José Miguel Mansilla‐Domínguez, Beatriz García‐Fernández, Esther Martínez‐MiguelABSTRACT
Objective
To explore how intensive care unit healthcare professionals experienced and interpreted music therapy delivered to critically ill patients, including its perceived relevance to patient experience, care interactions, the ICU environment and their own professional experience during care.
Design
A qualitative study with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.
Methods
A qualified music therapist delivered live, individualised music therapy sessions to critically ill patients alongside ongoing ICU care, including selected procedures when clinically appropriate. Fourteen healthcare professionals who had each been present during one patient‐directed session participated in an individual semi‐structured interview 24–48 h later. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes were developed: (1) Comfort and patient engagement; (2) Support during invasive procedures; (3) Humanisation, relationships and the ICU environment; and (4) Perceived contextual influences on healthcare professionals' experience. Participants perceived music therapy primarily in relation to patient comfort, engagement and support during selected procedures and potentially distressing care activities. They also associated its presence with more humanised relationships and a calmer ICU environment. Although the sessions were directed towards patients, some participants described positive contextual influences on their immediate experience while observing or providing care.
Conclusions
Healthcare professionals perceived patient‐directed music therapy as a potentially valuable complementary intervention alongside ongoing ICU care. Within their accounts, its presence was associated with patient comfort and engagement, support during selected procedures and potentially distressing care activities, more humanised and relational care and a calmer care environment. Some participants also described perceived positive contextual influences on their immediate experience while observing or providing care.
Implications for Nursing Practice
These findings provide considerations for nursing practice when patient‐directed music therapy is being considered in ICU care. Nurses may contribute to assessing the patient's clinical condition, willingness and capacity to participate, identifying or communicating musical preferences, coordinating the timing of sessions with the multidisciplinary team and facilitating referral to a qualified music therapist. Careful planning is required to ensure that sessions do not interfere with clinical monitoring, necessary procedures or patient safety.
Reporting Method
The study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) to enhance transparency and methodological rigour in qualitative studies involving interviews.
Patient or Public Contribution
No patient or public contribution.