Music therapy in invasive cardiac procedures: Expanded perspective

There is a need for more research on the effect and practical application of music therapy in perioperative settings. With this in mind, a randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the stress-regulatory effects of a specific music therapy intervention on patients (n = 64) during cardiac device lead extraction procedures. This article presents a supplementary analysis of the randomized controlled trial to expand the perspective on the impact of the music therapy intervention related to patient anxiety and self-reported experiences. In this substudy, we analysed patients’ self-reported numeric-rated anxiety levels in relation to time and subgroups. The results were further illuminated through scores of the patients’ satisfaction with the music therapy intervention, and qualitative written patient reflections. Descriptive statistical analyses were used, and a supplementary content analysis addressed the written patient material. Results showed that levels of anxiety varied over time in all subgroups. Across different timeline profiles, most patients reported the highest anxiety levels preoperatively and the lowest postoperatively. Independent of anxiety levels, the patients reported positive experiences with music therapy related to coping with the procedure, wellbeing and satisfaction, expressed within the following four categories: (1) bodily sensations of wellbeing, (2) positive feelings, (3) presence of mind and (4) useful intervention elements.