A Retrospective Study: Reduction of Anxiety Through Music Therapy During Hospitalization

Abstract This retrospective review of 56 charts of adult hospital patients examined verbal anxiety ratings (VAR) of premusic therapy- and post-music therapy sessions to report on the preliminary efficacy of live music interventions on anxiety. Due to the high rate of anxiety associated with hospitalization and its negative somatic and psychological effects, it is important that anxiety is assessed and treated by qualified professionals. Nonpharmacological approaches such as music therapy help to address the root of anxiety by providing a relaxation cue to patients’ parasympathetic nervous system and also address patients’ psychological concerns. This retrospective analysis explores the real-world evidence of music therapy for the treatment of hospital-associated anxiety symptoms through a review of all music therapy sessions with a charted verbal anxiety rating (VAR) ≥3 documented in the electronic health record. Paired samples t-test showed that music therapy sessions resulted in a statistically significant reduction in pre- and post-verbal anxiety rating; t(60) = 9.806, p < .001. This study demonstrates that music therapy is a feasible treatment modality for assessing and ameliorating self-reported anxiety symptoms in hospitalized adults.