Effects of Music Intervention Nursing in Advanced Life Support Ambulances: A Randomised Pilot Trial

Abstract

Patients with acute cardiovascular disease require out-of-hospital care during the most critical and vulnerable periods of their illness. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of musical intervention in patients with acute cardiovascular disease during transfer in Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances by means of an analytical randomized controlled case-control experimental study conducted according to CONSORT guidelines. Forty-one subjects took part in the study. Statistically significant differences were found for blood pressure (p < 0.05). The 26.8% of the patients required the administration of cardiovascular drugs, 12.2% antiemetics and 17.1% opioids. Statistically significant differences were found for blood pressure and the variable cardiovascular drugs between groups. The use of music therapy to complement other health measures in ALS ambulances lowers blood pressure values and reduces the need to administrate cardiovascular drugs, thus avoiding their possible side effects. It is easy to implement and has a low cost and should be monitored and controlled as a specific nursing intervention. Music intervention should be monitored and controlled as a specific nursing intervention, included in the care of patients transferred by ambulances on a routine basis.