Music Therapy

In Brief Increased anxiety levels are a common problem for mechanically ventilated patients. Heightened anxiety and lack of effective treatment options result in negative patient outcomes. Music therapy has been documented as an effective nursing intervention to manage anxiety in ventilator-dependent patients. Seven studies examining the effectiveness of music therapy in ventilator-dependent patients are reviewed in this literature review. Increased anxiety level in patients receiving mechanical ventilation is a common problem. This article reviews the literature concerning the use of music therapy as a modality to decrease the anxiety levels of these patients.