Positive Health Online

Abstract

LEE and COLLEAGUES, 1. Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China; 2. Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China; 3. Department of Intensive Care Unit, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.

4. Neurological and Nephrology Ward, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China; 5. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Rd, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. cylin36933@gmail.com ; 6. School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Road, South Dist., Taichung, 402, Taiwan, Republic of China. cshy078@csh.org.tw ;7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Road, South Dist., Taichung, 402, Taiwan, Republic of China. cshy078@csh.org.tw tested the effects of music intervention and aromatherapy on reducing anxiety for intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Background

Using patient-reported outcomes and physiological indicators to test the effects of music intervention and aromatherapy on reducing anxiety for intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Methodology

Patients with ICU admission duration >24 h were randomly assigned to a Music intervention group (n = 41), Aromatherapy group (n = 47), or Control group (rest only; n = 44). Each patient in the Music group listened to music; each patient in the Aromatherapy group received lavender essential oil massage on his/her back for 5 min; each patient in the Control group wore noise-cancelling headphones. Anxiety was measured using the Chinese version of the Stage-Trait Anxiety Inventory (C-STAI) and the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) at baseline, post-test, and 30-min follow-up. Heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure were measured every 10 min from baseline to the 30-min follow-up.

Results

The Music group had significantly better post-test VAS-A and C-STAI scores, and had lower heart rate and blood pressure than the Control group. The Aromatherapy group had significantly better VAS-A score and lower heart rate than the Control group. The 30-min follow-up showed that both Music and Aromatherapy groups had lower heart rate and blood pressure than the Control group.

Conclusion

Music and aromatherapy interventions were both effective for ICU patients. The effects of music intervention were greater than that of aromatherapy; both interventions maintained the effects for at least 30 min.

References

Lee CH1,2, Lai CL3, Sung YH2, Lai MY4, Lin CY5, Lin LY6,7. Comparing effects between music intervention and aromatherapy on anxiety of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit: a randomized controlled trial. Qual Life Res. 26(7):1819-1829. Jul 2017. doi: 10.1007/s11136-017-1525-5. Epub Feb 24 2017.

Comment

The above research demonstrated that Music and Aromatherapy clinical interventions resulted in a significant improvement in anxiety of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit.