The Effect of Different Auditory Stimuli on Vital Signs and Consciousness Level in Intensive Care Patients: Music, Nature-Based Sound and Voices of Patients' Relatives.

Aim: This study examined the effects of music, nature-based sounds and the voices of patients' relatives on the vital signs and consciousness levels of intensive care patients with different levels of consciousness.

Design: This is a quasi-experimental study with a within-subject design. This study included 43 patients with different levels of consciousness. Patients in the sample group constituted the study's control and intervention groups. The study was conducted on a single sample group using a pre-post design.

Methods: As interventions of the study, the patients were exposed to music, nature-based sounds and voices of relatives of the patients via wearing headphones at intervals of 1 day. To obtain control data, the same patients were wearing silent headphones. The order of auditory stimulus interventions and silent headphone control sessions was determined by randomisation.

Results: Music, nature-based sounds, patient relatives' voices in groups, the difference between the within-group heart rate and the Glasgow Coma Scale mean scores was statistically significant. It was found that the mean scores of the respiratory rate were statistically significant in the case where the patients were made to listen to the voices of their relatives. Music and nature-based sounds decreased heart rate, while patient relatives' sounds increased heart rate and respiratory rate. These different auditory stimuli positively affected the patient's level of consciousness in intensive care patients.

Patient contribution: Music, nature-based sounds and voices of patient relatives can be used in sensory stimulus programmes as they warn patients and positively affect the level of consciousness. This study revealed the responses of intensive care patients with different levels of consciousness to auditory stimuli. The results of this study may help in the selection of auditory stimuli in patients with different levels of consciousness. It is advisable to provide sensory stimuli by listening to music, nature-based sounds and voices of patients' relatives to patients, and create protocols or evidence-based guides that will help the intensive care nurse.