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Music Therapy Research

Music therapy research at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health has focused on its effectiveness for reducing pain among patients receiving palliative care, reducing pre-surgical anxiety, and managing symptoms from sickle cell disease. Additionally, music therapists from UH Connor Whole Health have led in developing virtual models of care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Palliative Care

Music therapy was investigated as a means of reducing pain among patients receiving palliative care. This study found that those receiving a single 20-minute music-assisted relaxation and imagery session reported greater reductions in pain intensity than those receiving standard care alone (difference in means [95% CI] -1.39 [-1.95, -0.83], p<.001).

Surgery

Recent research indicates that music therapy can help reduce pre-surgical anxiety, but there is limited understanding of staff and patient perceptions of music therapy. The study, A Survey of Surgeon, Nurse, Patient, and Family Perceptions of Music and Music Therapy in Surgical Contexts, suggests that music could be a valuable addition to surgical settings, with broad support from patients and healthcare providers. Employing a music therapist in the surgical environment may optimize benefits by tailoring interventions to patient needs. The study highlights the importance of educating both staff and patients about music therapy’s potential benefits.

Sickle Cell Disease

  • The BEATS music therapy program aimed to improve self-efficacy, trust, knowledge about SCD, and healthcare adherence during the transition to adult medical care. Results showed significant improvements in SCD knowledge and clinic utilization, suggesting that music therapy interventions can positively impact knowledge and the transition process, though no significant changes were found in self-efficacy or hospital admission rates.
  • The Effects of a Single Electronic Music Improvisation Session on the Pain of Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study explored the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of electronic music improvisation with a music therapist to reduce pain intensity and improve mood in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Results indicated that music therapy significantly improved pain intensity and mood compared to a control group, highlighting the potential of music therapy in managing acute pain for individuals with SCD.
  • Music Use in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Pilot Survey study explored music use among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) to understand its role in managing pain and other challenges. Participants showed interest in music therapy services with findings supporting the potential of music therapy to improve quality of life for individuals with SCD.
  • The purpose of the Effects of Music Therapy on Quality of Life in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease (MUSIQOLS): A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 6-session music therapy protocol for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), focusing on self-efficacy, quality of life, and coping skills. Music therapy participants learned self-management techniques and reported improved pain coping skills. The study found that music therapy participants reported significant improvements in self-efficacy, sleep disturbance, pain interference, and social functioning compared to the control group.

Virtual Delivery

The COVID-19 pandemic forced music therapists to adapt their service delivery models to ensure safety. They created virtual music therapy (VMT) services tailored to both clinicians' and the clients’ technical abilities. There is a need for continued development of effective VMT practices, despite its limitations for certain clinical populations. Two studies are underway at University Hospitals examining VMT approaches among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and sickle cell disease.

Real-World Clinical Effectiveness in Hospitals

The Effectiveness of Medical Music Therapy Practice: Integrative Research using the Electronic Health Record (EMMPIRE) project, funded by the Kulas Foundation, resulted in four publications demonstrating (1) how music therapy can be integrated throughout a large health system; (2) the clinically meaningful impact of a single music therapy session for addressing pain, stress, anxiety, and fatigue among patients receiving care at an academic cancer center and patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms receiving treatment at eight UH community hospitals; and (3) a quality improvement initiative to increase patient-reported outcome collection among a medical music therapy team.