A 2018 study conducted by Dr. Neema Sharda evaluated the efficacy of utilizing music, as a therapeutic intervention to promote mental wellness. Specifically, the research in question aimed to assess the impact of personalized music programs, designed to decrease symptoms of anxiety and promote pain relieving effects, within a postoperative geriatric population (Sharda, et al., 2018).   

The personalized music programs created for the study were based on the concept  of  rapid cycle improvement implemented by Project Confusion Avoidance Led by Music (CALM). CALM is a quality improvement initiative that focuses its efforts in developing music programs to serve as an adequate substitute for pharmacological interventions. These music based therapies are geared to older inpatient individuals at risk of experiencing postoperative delirium. 

Music programs were administered in the form of personalized playlists, that were based upon a music assessment given  to each of the participating patients.  These playlists were prepared for participants on an ipod shuffle.  The device was given to each patient, with a set of headphones, on the first day of postoperative recovery.  It was suggested that each patient listen to at least 20 minutes of the playlist twice daily, while recovering.  However the frequency and amount was left completely for the patient to decide.  

The impact of personalized music programs were evaluated through measures of program structure, process, and outcome quality.  Structural measures included the number of patients approached and the number of patients who declined participation.  Process measures incorporated the number of music players delivered and the completion of surveys.  Quality of outcome measures included length of stay, discharge disposition, incidence of delirium, and patient survey responses. 

 Over a 7-month period a total 126 patients were approached, and of those 109 consented to participation.  57 patients received music players and 43 reported listening to music.  26 of the 109 original participants did not receive music players, as they were discharged on the same day or were hospitalized for one night.  

Patients who participated in the CALM music therapy showed to experience fewer incidents of delirium (17.8% vs. 28.7%; P = .14), when compared to a comparison group. Out of the participants, who completed the post-intervention survey, “81.1% reported that the CALM intervention had a positive or very positive effect on their mood. Of the 38 respondents only 31 participants reported experiencing pain. Of those 31 participants, 61.3% reported that the CALM Intervention had a moderate or major effect on modulating that pain”(Pg. 4).

It was also found that 97.4% of participants ranged from satisfied to very satisfied with the therapy provided by the CALM music program. Aswell, 89.5% reported to view music as a useful component of their recovery, while at home. 

Within the discussion of the study, Sharda states, “[a]n inpatient personalized music program is a feasible, inexpensive, evidence-based  intervention that can be implemented with minimal additional hospital resources when adequate attention is given to workflow and culture change.  Our patient level survey data suggest that patients who listen to music postoperatively benefit with regard to pain perception, mood, and overall satisfaction” (Pg. 5).  

Personalized music programs not only meet the standard of efficacy concerning therapeutic intervention, but can be seen as an accessible and safer alternative to pharmacological therapies.  This notion challenges the culture that surrounds patient care.  Where post-op medications can be a costly expenditure, music can be an easily obtained resource by means of   individual music devices, online music programs or personal devices brought to the hospital. Also, many medications prescribed to post-op patients have the potential to create a deficit within a patient’s cognitive alertness and mobility.  On the other hand, music comes with none of the side-effects, yet all the care.  

Despite the study’s intervention focusing on an older demographic of patients, Sharda finds the implications of the results to be applicable to a patient population of all ages, and generalizable to any hospital system.