Effect of Music Therapy on Physiological Parameters Among Patients on Mechanical Ventilation

Objectives Patients on mechanical ventilation in intensive care units often experience physiological instability. Music therapy is considered a supportive non-pharmacological intervention. The present study aimed to assess the effect of Carnatic music therapy (Raga Ananda Bhairavi) on physiological parameters in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Material and Methods The study employed a single-group quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. The study involved 50 adult ventilated patients who were selected using purposive sampling from a tertiary care hospital. Physiological variables such as temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded before and after music therapy. The intervention consisted of exposure to recorded Carnatic classical music (Raga Ananda Bhairavi), delivered through headphones in the ICU, for 15 min twice daily over 3 consecutive days. Data were processed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results Following the musical intervention, significant improvement in oxygen saturation and a reduction in temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( p <0.001) was observed. A statistically significant association was observed between body temperature and educational status ( p = 0.008). Diastolic blood pressure demonstrated a significant association with residential area ( p = 0.0049). Conclusion Musical intervention revealed a significant reduction in body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a significant improvement in oxygen saturation levels. The findings support music therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention that can be routinely incorporated in intensive care nursing practice.