Music Intervention for the Burn Population

Abstract

Background: Burn injuries are one of the leading causes of unintentional deaths in the United States (Capek et al., 2018). Patients who sustain a burn injury endure many painful procedures throughout their road to recovery. The repetition of these painful procedures often creates anticipated anxiety, which can have a significant impact in the recovery of burn patients. Studies have demonstrated the positive effects of music interventions in decreasing anxiety in burn patients. Given the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders associated with burn injuries, it is imperative to provide early interventions that are aimed to minimize psychological distress and promote comfort within the burn population. Aims: This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of music on anticipatory anxiety among burn patients while also providing the nursing staff with information on the benefits of music intervention in procedural anxiety and pain. Methods: Patients anticipated anxiety levels were measured before their dressing change using a one-group, pre and posttest design. A Likert scale survey was used to determine the nurses’ perception and knowledge of music intervention as well as their daily utilization in practice. Results: A total of N=7 burn patients met the inclusion criteria and participated in the music intervention portion of this quality improvement project. Findings indicated that this design was underpowered to detect statistically significant improvement t(6)= 1.629, p= 0.155, d= 0.61, 95% C.I. [-3.68, 15.01]. A total of N=21 nurses completed the nursing portion. Findings indicated that 62% (n=13) perceived music as effective in reducing anxiety during painful procedures while only 24% (n=5) were aware of the evidence supporting its use for anxiety management in burn patients. Music therapy was reported as “always” utilized by 29% (n=6) of the nurses during dressing changes and 90% (n=19) of the nurses felt that music could be easily incorporated into daily use if supplies were available. Conclusion: This quality improvement project demonstrated that although nurses lacked knowledge of music intervention and its evidence supporting its use on burn patients, their perception of its effects on anxiety was positive and supported by their frequent utilization of music. Music intervention was found to be effective in decreasing anxiety scores in four out of seven participants. Clinical observation demonstrated that music interventions supported the basic principle of Kolcaba’s theory of comfort by promoting a state of ease and contentment in burn patients (Kolcaba, 2003). These findings suggest that music intervention is a safe, nonpharmacological, evidence-based intervention that can be easily utilized to enhance the care of burn patients.