Effect of single session receptive music therapy on anxiety and vital parameters in hospitalized Covid-19 patients: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are vulnerable to different degrees of stress disorders as well as depression, anxiety and fear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of introducing Music therapy on site with Covid-19 patients and investigating the immediate effects a single session has on anxiety, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (O2Sat) and satisfaction compared to standard care. A randomized controlled trial of 40 patients was conducted. Participants were assigned to control group (CG) or the treatment group (MG). MG received an individual single session of music therapy in presence. CG received standard care. MG and CG were subjected to identical measurements (pre-during-post) of the parameters STAI-Y, HR and O2Sat. Participants in MG were asked to fill in an optional open-ended question concerning their experience with music therapy. Significant difference in anxiety levels between scores in MG and CG (34.50 (23.25-40.00) vs 45.00(38, 25-54.00); p = 0.000) was observed. MG compared to CG had statistically significantly higher values of O2Sat (97.50 (96.25-99.00) versus 96.00 (96.00-98.00); p = 0.026). Results show the feasibility of introducing music therapy as a supporting complementary/non-pharmacological intervention on site in Covid-19 patients. A single session of music therapy improves O2Sat and can significantly reduce anxiety.Trial registration: 14/10/2021 No. NCT05077306. https://www.clinicaltrials.cov .

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

© 2022. The Author(s).

Figures

Figure 1

Comparison box plot at different times of the MG and of the CG for the STAI-Y parameters and percentage of Oxyhemoglobin Saturation. STAI-Y1 State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—y form, TO time at the start of the session, T1 time during the session, T2 time at the end of the session. (A) Comparison between time T2 and time T0 of the STAI-Y score respectively within the music therapy group and in the control group. Music therapy group. *: T0 vs T2 = [42.00 (38.25–60.50) vs 34.50 (23.25–40.00); p = 0.000]. (B) Comparison between the time T2, T1 and T0 of the O2 Sat% respectively within the music therapy group and in the control group. Music therapy group. °: T0 vs T1 = [96.50 (95.00–97.75) vs 98.00 (97.00–99.00; p = 0.000]. °°: T0 vs T2 = [96.50 (95.00–97.75) vs 97.50 (96.25–99.00); p = 0.000]. Significance was assumed for p values < 0.050.

Figure 2

Intra-group comparison between the times T0 and T2. Trend of STAI-Y and oxyhemoglobinic saturation between the beginning and the end of the session in the 20 patients of the MG and in the CG. STAI-Y1 State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—y form, TO time at the start of the session, T1 time during the session, T2 time at the end of the session, STAI-y State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—y form, TO time at the start of the session, T1 time during the session, T2 time at the end of the session. (a) MUSIC THERAPY GROUP. Intra-group comparison between T0 and T2 times regarding the variation of oxyhemoglobin saturation and STAY-Y. (b) CONTROL GROUP. Intra-group comparison between T0 and T2 times regarding the variation of oxyhemoglobin saturation and STAY-Y. *p < 0.050.

Figure 3

Discriminating analysis between the music therapy group and the control group. STAI-y State-Trait Anxiety Inventory—y form, TO time at the start of the session, T1 time during the session, T2 time at the end of the session, ΔSTAI-Y: difference between the value of STAI-Y calculated at time T2 minus the value of ΔSTAI-Y calculated at time T0; ΔO2 Sat%: difference between the value of O2 Sat calculated at time T2 minus the value of O2 Sat at time T0. The cross validate value able to discriminate the music therapy group compared to the control group starting from parameters ΔSTAI-Y and Δ O2 Sat% was 90%.