Effects of Five-Element Music Therapy Combined with Relaxation Therapy on the Recovery of Elderly Patients with Unstable Angina Pectoris Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Unstable angina pectoris (UAP) is prevalent among the elderly, and it is often treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study assessed the effect of five-element music therapy (FEMT) combined with relaxation therapy (RT) on recovery outcomes in elderly patients with UAP after PCI. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 287 elderly patients with UAP (age > 60 years) treated by PCI at Wenzhou Yining Geriatric Hospital between April 2021 and April 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: the RT group ( n = 132) and the FEMT combined with RT (FEMRT) group ( n = 155). Baseline characteristics, therapeutic effects, anxiety level (Self-Rating Anxiety Scale [SAS]), quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ]), echocardiographic parameters, and serum biomarkers were evaluated. Results: The FEMRT group exhibited significant improvements in therapeutic effects compared with the RT group ( P = 0.032), with notable increases in patients experiencing significant therapeutic effects (38.06% vs. 27.27%). Post-intervention, the SAS score decreased more in the FEMRT group than in the RT group ( P = 0.006). SAQ results indicated enhanced quality of life and treatment satisfaction in the FEMRT group ( P < 0.01). Both groups exhibited improvements in echocardiographic parameters (including stroke volume, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and left ventricular end-systolic diameter) and serum biomarkers (including tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), but the differences between the groups were not significant. Conclusion: The integration of FEMRT significantly enhanced recovery post-PCI in elderly patients with UAP, as evidenced by improved clinical and quality of life outcomes.