The Effect of Music Therapy on the Vital Signs of Patients in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of musicotherapy on the vital signs of patients in a surgical intensive care unit. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was conducted at Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center General Surgery Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The study population consisted of patients who had been hospitalized in the ICU during the last 24 hours, who remained at least one day in the ICU, and who agreed to participate in the study. They were over 18 years of age, and their levels of consciousness were 5 or higher according to the Glasgow Coma Scoring System. The sample was collected from 202 patients who were hospitalized at TOTM general surgery ICU after power analysis. Patient identification forms and the registration forms containing vital signs before and after the intervention were used for data collection. Information from patient identification forms and registration forms indicating vital signs (pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation level) before music therapy was recorded on the second day after admission to general surgery ICU. This information about the patients was recorded again after music therapy. The data were evaluated with descriptive statistics and a paired t test. Results: Pulse rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lowered by music therapy, and low oxygen saturations were raised by music therapy. Conclusion: The results show that music therapy is effective.