Music intervention

Music has been used throughout history as a healing and treatment modality by shamans and indigenous healers. Preliterate and ancient cultures throughout the world, such as Egypt, China, India, and Greece understood the healing nature of music and linked practices of medicine to music. Nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale recognized the healing power of music. Today, nurses can use music in a variety of settings to benefit patients and clients. Individual responses to music are influenced by personal preferences, experiences, the environment, education, and cultural factors. Music can be used for relaxation, to decrease anxiety and fear, and to distract from distressing symptoms such as pain and discomfort. To further build a strong body of knowledge surrounding the implementation and outcomes of music intervention, the authors recommend an interdisciplinary approach, including nurses and music therapists conducting collaborative research. From quality evidence, music-intervention implementation guidelines can then be integrated into patient care.