Music Preferences of Mechanically Ventilated Patients Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a life-saving measure and supportive modality utilized to treat patients experiencing respiratory failure. Patients experience pain, discomfort, and anxiety as a result of being mechanically ventilated. Music listening is a nonpharmacological intervention used to manage these psychophysiological symptoms associated with mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this analysis is to examine music preferences of 107 MV patients enrolled in a randomized clinical trial that implemented a patient-directed music listening protocol to help manage the psychophysiological symptom of anxiety. 1 Music data presented heretofore includes the music genres and instrumentation patients identified as their preferred music. Genres preferred include: classical, jazz, rock, country, and oldies. Instrumentation preferred include: piano, voice, guitar, music with nature sounds, and orchestral music. The analysis of three patients’ preferred music received throughout the course of the study is illustrated to demonstrate the details and complexity involved in assessing MV patients, which substantiates the need for an ongoing assessment process.