"It was 15 minutes without pain" - a mixed methods pilot study on the implementation of music therapy for hospitalised patients with incurable lung disease.

Abstract

Background: Patients with incurable lung disease may have high symptom burden, which can be difficult to alleviate. We wanted to examine patients' experiences of music therapy regarding disease management, symptom relief and quality of life, and how the service could be integrated in their care during a hospital stay.

Method: We conducted a pilot study in adult patients admitted with incurable lung disease during the spring 2021 at a university hospital in Norway, using an exploratory mixed methods implementation design. Qualitative interviews were analysed using systematic text condensation. Quantitative data, comprising symptom burden, functional status and quality of life, were analysed with descriptive statistics.

Results: Eighteen participants (7 men, 11 women, age 57-90 years) were included in the period April 6th to 15 June 2021 out of a total of 93 screened patients. 1-4 music therapy sessions were conducted per participant, resulting in a total of 24 sessions, with conversation and listening to music that had personal significance for a patient as the main activities. The symptom burden was lowest immediately after the session with music therapy compared to measurements before and after the end of the project period, but without statistical significance due to the small number of participants. Participants reported how music therapy supported them in three domains: 1) Through the emphasis on their life-course narrative and situatedness. 2) Through the therapeutic relationship and importance of collaboration. 3) Through the experience of coping and getting a break from illness.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that music therapy, individually tailored to each patient, may enhance coping and well-being, and is feasible on a busy pulmonary ward. Music therapy should be considered as part of the comprehensive treatment of patients with incurable lung disease, supplementing existing care.