Learning Objective #1: 1. The learner will be able to know the effect of music appreciation on stress reduction.

Learning Objective #2: 2. The learner will be able to use lento music as the evidence-based nursing intervention for stress reduction.

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Background: Several clinical studies have indicated the effectiveness of music on stress; however, the study results are inconsistent. Moreover, no known published studies have investigated nurses’ appreciation of music and the effects of music on nursing job stress.
Objectives: The purpose of this randomized cross-over controlled trial is to examine the effects of music preference and intervention on stress indices.
Method: Using a cross-over design, 54 subjects were randomly assigned to music / chair rest or chair rest/music sequence. Subjects were in each sequence for 30 minutes. Subjects in the music condition listened to selected-sedative music by headphones throughout 30 minutes. In the chair rest condition subjects sat quietly for 30 minutes. Using a repeated measures design, subjects’ heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), finger temperature, and cortisol were measured with BP monitor and chemillumincent immunoassay respectively before the study and every 15 minutes interval until the end of the whole procedure. Subjected stress was measured with visual analogue scale before the study, and at the end of the each condition. Stress indices were recorded and analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: The mean music appreciation scores was ranged between 7 and 10, with a mean score 8.81 (SD = 1.05), and was significantly associated with MAP, cortisol, self-perceived stress, and finger temperature. Subjects when listened to music compared with chair rest had lower perceived stress level, cortisol, heart rate, and MAP as well as higher finger temperature (all p < 0.05 to 0.001). Paired t-test results were also significant for posttest heart rate, cortisol, finger temperature and mean arterial pressure between the two conditions (p < 0.05 to 0.001).
Discussion: The effect of music on stress was confirmed, the findings provided evidence for nurse to use soothing music as a research-based nursing intervention for stress reduction.