Radiometric Measurement of the Effect of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Vital Signs of Patients with Palliative Care Using the Example of Music Therapy.

Abstract

Background: Nonpharmacological, psychosocial interventions such as music therapy (MT) are common in palliative care. However, measuring the effects of these interventions is challenging. Contactless and therefore burden-free vital sign monitoring may provide a feasible solution. Aim: The aim is to investigate the use of a radar system for measuring the effect of nonpharmacological interventions on heart and respiratory rate in patients with palliative care utilizing MT as an example. Design: Radar devices were installed under patients' mattresses of the palliative care ward to record heart and respiratory rate data. The pre-, peri-, and post-intervention heart rates were compared for 10-minute intervals, respectively. Heart rate changes were assessed for all interventions and two subgroups (receiving MT and MT with physiotherapy). Data from 77 patients were recorded as part of the GUARDIAN project performed at the palliative care unit of the University Hospital Erlangen-Nürnberg. Results: The heart rate of patients with palliative care was monitored continuously, prior to and following a complex intervention. Significant changes in heart rate were recorded depending on the intervention: A reduction of heart rate by -3.342 bpm (-3.913%, ±6.011 bpm, p = 0.0229) was found in the first 10 minutes after the MT intervention. The monitoring of the respiratory rate was only possible on an intermittent basis. Conclusions: Our study shows that radiometric heart rate monitoring is feasible during MT, highlighting the radar system's potential for assessing complex interventions in palliative care. However, reliability issues in respiratory rate measurement call for further research.