Music Therapy For Patients Who Are Mechanically Ventilated: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this study was to describe how music therapists provide care for adult patients in the intensive care unit on mechanical ventilation. A short electronic survey was sent to board-certified music therapists to gather data on those working with patients on mechanical ventilation in adult medical settings. The researcher interviewed five music therapists who responded to the survey about their clinical work with patients on mechanical ventilation. Most results were consistent with existing literature: interviewees described types of patients supported, interventions and related goals, family support, challenges, interactions with staff, music selection, and seeking best practices. Interviewees also discussed contraindications of using patient-preferred music, which deviates from prior findings. Future research is warranted to examine the nuances of music therapy within the spectrum of life support. Additionally, exploring patient perspectives of music therapy during mechanical ventilation after extubation may provide insight into the styles of music best suited for patients on mechanical ventilation. Finally, as the presence of family members seems to have a significant impact on patients’ experience of mechanical ventilation, future research could investigate outcomes of incorporating families and caregivers into sessions.