| Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to describe psychophysiological benefits of using relaxing music during acute recovery from mycardial infarction. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to identify optimal timing and frequency for implementing relaxing music sessions during acute recovery from myocardial infarction. |
Methods: One hundred eighty AMI patients were randomly assigned to one of six groups. The six comparison groups included (1) music once per day (morning); (2 & 3) music twice per day (morning & afternoon; morning & evening); (4) music three times per day (morning, afternoon, & evening); (5) attention (rest); and (6) control (usual treatment). It was hypothesized that when compared with participants in the control and attention groups, individuals who listened to relaxing music would experience greater reductions in heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), MVO2 demand, and state anxiety, with concomitant increases in HRV.
Results: Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test differences in dependent variables after intervention sessions. Individuals who listened to relaxing music showed greater reductions in HR, RR, BP, MVO2 demand, and anxiety, with greater increases in HRV. Repeated measures general linear modeling was used to determine optimal timing and frequency of relaxing music sessions. Delivering relaxing music sessions two or three times per day was more beneficial than once per day, quiet rest, or treatment as usual.
Conclusions: Relaxing music sessions promote both physiological and psychological relaxation responses during AMI recovery. These changes may potentially reduce the extent of ongoing myocardial injury and damage.