Comfort, Connection and Music: Experiences of Music Therapy and Inter-Active Listening on a Palliative Care Unit

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
SarahRose Black ◽  
Gary Rodin ◽  
Camilla Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Palliative Care Unit ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Receptive Music Therapy

Music therapy in palliative care aims to provide psychosocial support, assistance with pain and symptom management and opportunities for life review and legacy work. Although there have been a variety of studies conducted on the effects of music therapy in palliative care facilities, there is a gap in research examining the experience and feasibility of music therapy on acute palliative care units within cancer care settings. This qualitative study explored the lived experience of inter-active listening (IAL), an individualized music therapy in which the therapist plays music or sings while the patient engages through listening, for nine inpatients on a palliative care unit. The study found that a receptive music therapy referred to as IAL was associated, in cancer patients in an acute palliative care unit, with increased emotional and spiritual well-being and a greater sense of connection to self and others. Further research into specific effects of various music therapy intervention styles is warranted. 

The Effect of 5-Minute Mindfulness of Peace on Suffering and Spiritual Well-Being Among Palliative Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 104990912096594
Author(s):  
Lim Liang Yik ◽  
Look Mei Ling ◽  
Lim Min Ai ◽  
Ang Bin Ting ◽  
David Paul Capelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Mindfulness Practices

Background: Mindfulness practices may have a role in reducing suffering and improving spiritual well-being among patients with serious illness. The efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of such interventions warrant further exploration in the palliative care population. Objective: To investigate the effect of a brief mindfulness practice, the 5-minute mindfulness of peace intervention, on suffering and spiritual well-being among palliative care patients. Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted on adult palliative care patients with moderate to severe levels of suffering. Participants in the intervention arm were guided through a 5-minute mindfulness of peace exercise while participants in the control arm received 5 minutes of active listening. Pre- and post-intervention suffering and spiritual well-being were measured using the Suffering Pictogram and the FACIT-Sp-12 questionnaire, respectively. Results: 40 participants completed the study. 5-minute mindfulness of peace significantly reduced suffering (median = -3.00, IQR = 2.00) more than 5 minutes of active listening (median = -1.00, IQR = 1.75), U = 73.50, z = -3.48, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.31. FACIT-Sp-12 score also significantly improved in the intervention arm (median = +5.00, IQR = 2.75) compared with the control arm after 5 minutes (median = +1.00, IQR = 3.00), U = 95.50, z = -2.85, p = 0.004, η2 = 0.21. Conclusions: A brief 5-minute mindfulness of peace exercise is effective in providing immediate relief of suffering and improving spiritual well-being. It is a useful and feasible intervention among patients receiving palliative care for rapidly and momentarily reducing spiritual suffering.

scholarly journals “Song of Life”: Results of a multicenter randomized trial on the effects of biographical music therapy in palliative care

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110103
Author(s):  
Marco Warth ◽  
Friederike Koehler ◽  
Martin Brehmen ◽  
Martin Weber ◽  
Hubert J Bardenheuer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ego Integrity ◽  
Global Quality ◽  
Global Quality Of Life ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Therapy Intervention

Background: Awareness for the importance of psychological and spiritual needs in patients with terminal diseases has increased in recent years, but randomized trials on the effects of psychosocial interventions are still rare. Aim: To investigate the efficacy of the “Song of Life” music therapy intervention regarding the emotional and psycho-spiritual dimensions of quality of life. Design: Patients were randomly assigned to either “Song of Life” or a relaxation intervention. “Song of Life” is a novel three-session music therapy intervention working with a biographically meaningful song. Primary outcome was the improvement in psychological quality of life. Secondary outcomes included spiritual well-being, ego-integrity, momentary distress, and global quality of life and the explorative assessment of treatment satisfaction (patient and family member version). Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted including adjustment for multiple testing in secondary outcomes. Setting/participants: Between December 2018 and August 2020, 104 patients receiving specialized palliative care were recruited from two palliative care wards. Results: No significant differences were found regarding psychological and global quality of life, but “Song of Life” participants reported significantly higher spiritual well-being ( p = 0.04) and ego-integrity ( p < 0.01), as well as lower distress ( p = 0.05) than patients in the control group. Both patients’ and family members’ treatment satisfaction was higher after “Song of Life” with large between-group effect sizes on items asking for meaningfulness ( d = 0.96) and importance ( d = 1.00). Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that “Song of Life” is an effective and meaningful biographical music therapy intervention to facilitate psycho-spiritual integration in terminally ill patients. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS)—DRKS00015308 (date of registration: September 7th 2018).

scholarly journals Soothing Sounds: an Investigation into the Value of Music in Palliative Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Karen Anne Hall
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Holistic Care ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Therapeutic Properties

<p>Music has almost turned full circle in its application for people whose physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being needs to be addressed, particularly in palliative care. Music has been used for centuries to enhance everyday life, and offer therapeutic properties to heal the body and the soul. Since the development of palliative care as a specialised area of medicine and nursing in the 1970s there has been an increased awareness in providing total or holistic care. This acknowledges the patient as a whole person, and the multitude of difficulties that patients and their families may face. Music can be useful in helping individuals to cope with the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual pain that accompanies dying. Because of music's non-threatening nature, it can often 'speak' where words are sometimes difficult. Music is tied closely to human emotions, and often music can be the catalyst to 'lift the lid' off these emotions in a safe, supportive environment. This qualitative study focuses on van Manen's theory of the 'lived experience' in relation to two families and asks the first thesis question. What is the value of music in the care of someone who is dying? Over the course of their loved one's illness these families provided music in the patients home as part of their care. The study also captures the experiences of two nurses who work in the palliative setting, and their use of music in providing holistic care to their patients. Their experiences relate to the second question. How can nurses be assisted in introducing music into their planned care of patients? The results demonstrate the effectiveness of using taped music for someone who is dying, and the reduction in symptoms, such as anxiety, and pain. It also highlights the importance of the individual's choice, and the special moments that can be achieved for both patient and families when music is used in a caring, supportive environment. This encourages communication, especially in the sharing of emotions. This study may be the first qualitative study in New Zealand, that addresses the value of music in palliative care, therefore there is a need for continued research into this therapy as a treatment modality as part of planned care in palliative nursing.</p>

scholarly journals Soothing Sounds: an Investigation into the Value of Music in Palliative Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Karen Anne Hall
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Holistic Care ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Whole Person ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Therapeutic Properties

<p>Music has almost turned full circle in its application for people whose physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being needs to be addressed, particularly in palliative care. Music has been used for centuries to enhance everyday life, and offer therapeutic properties to heal the body and the soul. Since the development of palliative care as a specialised area of medicine and nursing in the 1970s there has been an increased awareness in providing total or holistic care. This acknowledges the patient as a whole person, and the multitude of difficulties that patients and their families may face. Music can be useful in helping individuals to cope with the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual pain that accompanies dying. Because of music's non-threatening nature, it can often 'speak' where words are sometimes difficult. Music is tied closely to human emotions, and often music can be the catalyst to 'lift the lid' off these emotions in a safe, supportive environment. This qualitative study focuses on van Manen's theory of the 'lived experience' in relation to two families and asks the first thesis question. What is the value of music in the care of someone who is dying? Over the course of their loved one's illness these families provided music in the patients home as part of their care. The study also captures the experiences of two nurses who work in the palliative setting, and their use of music in providing holistic care to their patients. Their experiences relate to the second question. How can nurses be assisted in introducing music into their planned care of patients? The results demonstrate the effectiveness of using taped music for someone who is dying, and the reduction in symptoms, such as anxiety, and pain. It also highlights the importance of the individual's choice, and the special moments that can be achieved for both patient and families when music is used in a caring, supportive environment. This encourages communication, especially in the sharing of emotions. This study may be the first qualitative study in New Zealand, that addresses the value of music in palliative care, therefore there is a need for continued research into this therapy as a treatment modality as part of planned care in palliative nursing.</p>

scholarly journals Music therapy in palliative care

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare O’Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Symptom Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Creative Music ◽  
Quality Life ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Song Writing

Music therapists are university-trained professionals who invite palliative care patients, and their significant family members and friends, to explore how creative music-based experiences in therapeutic relationships can address biopsychosocial needs and enhance spiritual well-being. The chapter illustrates how music therapists can extend music’s power to help patients across the lifespan live a quality life and support their families. Patients often choose familiar music to listen to, sing, or play that elicits people, places, emotions, and thoughts that they want to connect with. Through music therapy song writing and improvisation, patients and families creatively explore their ‘playful’ musical and unique selves, and potentially experience helpful new awareness, wonder, pride, and accomplishment. Patients’ song composition legacies can also support the bereaved. Music therapists offer guided music and relaxation or imagery interventions, to soothe and help with symptom management. Extensive quantitative and qualitative research informing music therapy is also outlined and music-based care suggestions are provided for when music therapists are not available.

The effectiveness of hope-fostering interventions in palliative care: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632199472
Author(s):  
Natalia Salamanca-Balen ◽  
Thomas V Merluzzi ◽  
Man Chen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: The concept of hope is an important theme in chronic illness and palliative care and has been associated with increased psycho-spiritual well-being and quality of life. Psycho-spiritual interventions have been described in this population, but no systematic review of hope-enhancing interventions or hopelessness-reducing interventions has been conducted for persons with palliative care diseases. Aim: To describe and assess the effectiveness of interventions in palliative care that measure hope and/or hopelessness as an outcome. Design: This systematic review and meta-analysis was pre-registered (Prospero ID: CRD42019119956). Data sources: Electronic databases, journals, and references were searched. We used the Cochrane criteria to assess the risk of bias within studies. Results: Thirty-five studies (24 randomized controlled trials, 5 quasi-experimental, 6 pre-post studies) involving a total of 3296 palliative care patients were included. Compared with usual/standard cancer care alone, interventions significantly increased hope levels at a medium effect size ( g = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28–0.93) but did not significantly reduce hopelessness ( g = −0.08, 95% CI = −0.18 to 0.02). It was found that interventions significantly increase spirituality ( g = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.02–1.37) and decrease depression ( g = −0.29, 95% CI = −0.51 to −0.07), but had no significant effect over anxiety, quality of life, and symptom burden. Overall, quality of evidence across the included studies was rated as low. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that interventions can be effective in increasing hope in palliative care patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document