Effect of Music on Fatigue, Comfort, and Vital Signs in Patients After Liver Transplant Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of music therapy on fatigue, comfort and vital signs of the liver transplant patients. The study sample comprised 120 adult patients (60 in the experimental and 60 in the control group) who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. In the experimental group, the researcher performed music therapy. After applying music therapy once to patients for 30 minutes, their fatigue, comfort, and vital signs were evaluated. No treatment was performed in the control group. According to music therapy follow-ups after liver transplantation, mean scores of fatigue levels were lower, comfort levels were higher, and vital signs were normal, with a statistical significance in the experimental group compared with the control group in all measurements before and after music therapy (P < .001). The study should be repeated using different parameters.

Electroacupuncture anesthesia for laparotomy in goats.

Background: The objective of the study to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture during laparotomy in goats. Aim: To study the abdominal anesthesia in goats by electroacupuncture using the physiological variables, vital parameters, hematological, biochemical, cortisol hormone, pain threshold, and wound healing for laparotomy in goats. Methods: Fifteen healthy adult bucks were used to receive electroacupuncture in 10 newly selected acupoints. The data (M ± SD) were assessed at intervals (0 minutes) before induction (control group), (5 minutes), (10 minutes), (15 minutes), and (20 minutes) during induction, (30 minutes), (45 minutes), and (60 minutes) throughout surgery and (24 hours) after surgery, cortisol levels in serum at (0), (24 hours), and (72 hours) throughout laparotomy. Results: The goats of the study showed improvement in the rates of eyelid closure, head, and neck relaxation, rumen motility, and tympany which were graded into mild (+), moderate (++), and severe (+++) degrees. The respiratory rates, body temperatures, and capillary fill times were not significantly different. The total mean of hematocrit was (19.9 ± 2.68), the total mean of hemoglobin was (9.9 ± 0.94), the total mean of red blood cells was (7.9 ± 0.8), the total mean of platelets was (244,861.3 ± 138,444.8) and the total mean of SPO2 was (70.5 ± 4.6). ALT and AST showed no significance. The significant mean cortisol level was (2.6 ± 2.01) and the significant mean pain threshold level was (0.02 ± 0.03). The results proved that electroacupuncture had a lot of significant parameters. The wound healing was improved by early epithelization and immature granulation tissue (at 7 days). Thick keratinized epithelization and collagen deposition in the dermal tissue with enhanced angiogenesis (at 14 days). Mild restoration of skin and the dermal tissue was well-organized (at 21 days). Besides, well-formed scar tissue covering a highly cellular organized dermal tissue (at 28 days). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture had been considered a powerful anesthetic for abdominal surgery in goats. Moreover, wound healing proved excellent and better healing.

Impact of Finnish sauna bathing on circulating markers of inflammation in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A crossover study.

OBJECTIVES: Finnish sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of adverse health outcomes. The acute physiological responses elicited by Finnish sauna bathing that could explain this association remain understudied. This study characterized the acute effect of Finnish sauna bathing on circulating markers of inflammation in healthy middle-aged and older adults. DESIGN: With the use of a crossover study design, 20 healthy middle-aged and older adults (9 men/11 women, 66 ±â€¯6 years old) performed 3 interventions in random order: 1) 1 x 10 min of Finnish sauna bathing (80 °C, 20 % humidity); 2) 2 x 10 min of Finnish sauna bathing; 3) a time-control period during which participants sat outside of the sauna for 10 min. MAIN OUTCOMES: Venous blood samples were obtained before (≤15 min) and after (∼65 min) each intervention to determine circulating concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: IL-6 increased in response to 2 x 10 min of sauna bathing (+0.92 pg/mL [+0.16, +1.68], P = 0.02), but not following the 1 x 10 min session (+0.17 pg/mL [-0.13, +0.47], P = 0.26). IL1-RA increased during the 1 x 10 min (+51.27 pg/mL [+20.89, +81.65], P < 0.01) and 2 x 10 min (+30.78 pg/mL [+3.44, +58.12], P = 0.03) sessions. CRP did not change in response to either sauna session (P = 0.34). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that typical Finnish sauna bathing sessions acutely increase IL-6 and IL1-RA in healthy middle-aged and older adults.

The Effect of Healing Touch on Critical Care Patients' Vital Signs: A Pilot Study.

To determine the impact of Healing Touch on vital signs, adult intensive care unit patients were recruited from multiple hospital sites. Both pain and agitation improved and there was a significant change in hemodynamics that reflected a calming effect. Healing Touch may be considered a respected addition to symptom management.

Effects of audio and visual distraction on patients' vital signs and tolerance during esophagogastroduodenoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) provides an indispensable and unambiguous inspection allowing the discovery upper gastrointestinal lesions. However, many patients are anxious about undergoing EGD. Few studies have investigated the influence on patients' vital signs and tolerance during EGD using subjective and objective assessments. This study was a prospective randomized controlled study that investigated the influence of audio and visual distraction on EGD. METHODS: We randomly divided 289 subjects who underwent EGD into 4 groups (control group, audio group, visual group, combination group) and examined their vital signs, heart rate variability (HRV), psychological items, and acceptance of distraction. RESULTS: Pulse rate (PR) at post-distraction and post-EGD in the 3 distraction groups were significantly lower than those of control group (p <  0.001 and p <  0.01, respectively). Blood pressure (BP) during and post-EGD was significantly higher than that at pre-EGD in control group (p <  0.05), but no significant elevation of BP was observed during the latter half of EGD and post-EGD in the 3 distraction groups. BP at post-distraction improved significantly compared to pre-distraction in the 3 distraction groups (p <  0.05). There was a significant difference in the low-frequency (LF) power/ high-frequency (HF) power at post-distraction and post-EGD among the 4 groups (p <  0.001 and p <  0.001, respectively). The LF power/HF power at post-distraction and post-EGD in the 3 distraction groups was significantly lower than that in control group (p <  0.05). Several items of profile of mood states (POMS) and the impression of EGD at post-distraction improved significantly compared to those at pre-distraction among the 3 distraction groups (p <  0.05). Visual analog scale (VAS) of willingness for the next use of distraction in the 3 distraction groups was excellent because VAS was more than 70. CONCLUSIONS: Distractions effectively improved psychological factors, vital signs and some of HRV at pre and post-EGD. Distractions may suppress BP elevation during the latter half of EGD and lead to stability of HRV on EGD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000029637. Registered on 20 October 2017.

The Effects of Music on the Life Signs of Patients in the Reanimation Unit/Recovery Room After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of music on the life signs of patients in the postanesthesia care unit after laparoscopic surgery. The study was carried out as a quasi-experimental model with pretest-posttest and control group in the postanesthesia care unit of a training and education hospital from March 2017 to May 2018. The sample consisted of 148 patients (74 experiment and 74 control) who were selected by the method of nonprobability sampling determined on the basis of power analysis who met the inclusion criteria. When the change in the life signs between the groups was examined, after music treatment (second measurement), there was a significant difference only in the respiratory rates (P < .05). There was a significant difference in terms of diastolic blood pressures and respiratory rates in the first admission to the clinic from the postanesthesia care unit (third measurement) (P < .05).

Non-combative taekwondo evokes highly anaerobic physiological responses in elite-level athletes: potential evidence for a new training modality.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing international popularity of taekwondo (TKD) poomsae, there is a lack of physiological characterizations of elite-level competitors in the sport. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological demands associated with various types of TKD poomsae. METHODS: Eight male international TKD poomsae competitors carried out tae-geuk (TG) and professional (PF) poomsaes (in accordance with international competition standards), and consecutive TG (CTG) poomsae (a previously identified poomsae-specific training method). During each poomsae performance, oxygen uptake, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood lactate were measured. The physiological responses were normalized and compared to maximal aerobic exercise tests such as a graded treadmill exercise (GXT) and maximal graded arm-crank ergometer exercise (ACE) to analyze the relative exercise intensity of each TKD poomsae. RESULTS: The results showed the relative exercise intensity of TG and PF poomsaes elicit moderate to high intensity physiological proportions of the maximal responses found during the GXT and ACE tests. Interestingly, CTG poomsae responses resulted in similar exercise intensities as those reported during high intensity interval training, indicating that CTG may be an effective training modality to improve aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity while also utilizing and developing sport specific techniques and skills. CONCLUSIONS: This indicates the need for poomsae athletes to develop and maintain both aerobic and anaerobic capacity to enhance performance. Therefore, these physiological findings will help elite poomsae competitors and coaches to develop exercise programs of substantial duration and intensity to elicit beneficial performance adaptations.

Effect of Classic Foot Massage on Vital Signs, Pain, and Nausea/Vomiting Symptoms After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

This semiexperimental study on the effects of foot massage recruited 88 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the general surgery clinics of our hospital in Turkey (June 2017 to May 2018). Patients were assigned to either the intervention group (n=44, 10 min of classic foot massage) or the control group (n=44, no intervention). Pretest assessment, intervention, and posttest assessment were conducted within 1 to 6 hours postoperatively. Outcome measures included vital signs, pain, and nausea/vomiting symptoms. The intervention was associated with a significant decrease in pain scores and incidence of nausea. Despite being associated with an increase in body temperature, the intervention was also associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure without increasing diastolic blood pressure or respiratory rate, suggesting a positive effect on blood circulation. Classic foot massage may serve as an affordable and useful way to help improve pain, nausea, and blood circulation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Musical intervention on anxiety and vital parameters of chronic renal patients: a randomized clinical trial / Intervenção musical sobre a ansiedade e parâmetros vitais de pacientes renais crônicos: ensaio clínico randomizado / Intervención musical sobre la ansiedad y parámetros vitales de pacientes renales crónicos: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the therapeutic effect of music on anxiety and vital parameters in patients with chronic kidney disease when compared to patients receiving conventional care in hemodialysis clinics. Method: randomized clinical trial conducted in three renal replacement therapy clinics. Sixty people with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis were randomly allocated to an experimental group and a control group, 30 persons per group). State anxiety was evaluated in both groups by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A t-test was used to verify the effect of the experimental manipulation on the variables. Results: we found a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the degree of anxiety experienced during hemodialysis sessions. The experimental group presented a statistically significant reduction of anxiety scores (p = 0.03), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.002), heart rate (p < 0.01) and respiratory rate (p < 0.006) after listening to music. Conclusion: music represents a potential resource for nursing intervention to reduce state anxiety during hemodialysis sessions. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-64b7x7.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o efeito de uma intervenção musical sobre a ansiedade e parâmetros vitais em doentes renais crônicos em comparação ao cuidado convencional de clínicas de hemodiálise. Método: ensaio clínico controlado randomizado realizado em três clínicas de terapia renal substitutiva. Foram alocadas aleatoriamente 60 pessoas com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise (30 no grupo experimental e 30 no grupo controle). A ansiedade-estado foi avaliada em ambos os grupos pelo State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Para verificar o efeito da manipulação experimental sobre as variáveis estudadas foi utilizado o teste t de Student. Resultados: houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos no que diz respeito à ansiedade durante a sessão de hemodiálise. O grupo experimental apresentou redução estatisticamente significativa do escore de ansiedade após a audição musical (p = 0,03), bem como pressão arterial sistólica (p < 0,002), pressão arterial diastólica (p < 0,002), frequência cardíaca (p < 0,01) e frequência respiratória (p < 0,006). Conclusão: a música apresenta-se como uma potencial intervenção de enfermagem para a redução da ansiedade-estado durante sessões de hemodiálise. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaio Clinico: RBR-64b7x7.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de una intervención musical sobre la ansiedad y parámetros vitales en enfermos renales crónicos en comparación al cuidado convencional de clínicas de hemodiálisis. Método: ensayo clínico controlado, aleatorizado, realizado en tres clínicas de terapia renal substitutiva. Fueron asignadas aleatoriamente 60 personas con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis (30 en el grupo experimental y 30 en el grupo control). La ansiedad- estado fue evaluada en ambos grupos por el State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Para verificar el efecto de la manipulación experimental sobre las variables estudiadas fue utilizado el test t de Student. Resultados: hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos en lo que dice respecto a la ansiedad durante la sesión de hemodiálisis. El grupo experimental presentó reducción estadísticamente significativa del escore de ansiedad después de audición musical (p = 0,03), así como presión arterial sistólica (p < 0,002), presión arterial diastólica (p < 0,002), frecuencia cardíaca (p < 0,01) y frecuencia respiratoria (p < 0,006). Conclusión: la música se presenta como una potencial intervención de enfermería para la reducción de la ansiedad-estado durante sesiones de hemodiálisis. Registro Brasilero de Ensayo Clínico: RBR-64b7x7.

The effect of nature sounds on physiological indicators among patients in the cardiac care unit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Environmental noises may create physiological and psychological disorders in patients hospitalized in the CCU. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of nature sounds on physiological indicators among patients in the CCU. MATERIALS & METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 93 patients hospitalized in the cardiac care units of three teaching hospitals in 2016. The patients were selected using the convenient method with three randomized blocks. The patients were assigned into three groups as nature sounds, silence that received a set of headphones without playing sounds, and control groups. In addition to routine care, the patients in the intervention group listened to nature sounds for 30 min using a set of headphones for two days. The patients in the control group only received routine care. In addition to routine care, the patients in the silence group used a set of headphones for 30 min to block noises and no sound was played for them. Physiological indicators such as heartbeat rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respiration rate, and arterial O2 saturation were assessed using monitoring devices. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis via the SPSS software. FINDINGS: Nature sounds and silence had no statistically significant effects on physiological indicators. However, a statistically significant difference was reported in the heart rate in the nature sound group before and after the intervention in the first day of the intervention (P = 0.046). In the second day of the intervention, there were statistically significant differences in the diastolic blood pressure in the nature sounds group (P = 0.028), heart rate (P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.013) in the silence group, and heart rate (P = 0.014) in the control group before and after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Listening to nature sounds or the use of headphones blocked environmental noises and could influence mean arterial pressure. Future studies can examine the effects of this intervention implemented for a longer term using nature sounds by patients.

A ZigBee-based wireless system for monitoring vital signs in hyperbaric chambers: Technical report.

This paper presents the replacement of a traditional wired communication link of the hyperbaric chambers with a wireless ZigBee-based system. This move allows a reduction in the costs of seals capable of withstanding the internal pressures and gives rise to a more versatile system. The new system is able to capture and process individual vital signs like the electrocardiography signal, and other analog sources, sending the data to an external computer and allowing analysis, representation and sharing with medical staff. This system solves such problems as the attenuation of the signal produced by the metal walls of the hyperbaric chamber and has a coverage area large enough to manage up to six patients with an effective data rate conversion of 2kHz. Furthermore, a battery-based and multiparameter platform is designed for multipatient hyperbaric chambers.

Emergency Department Vital Signs and Outcomes After Discharge.

OBJECTIVE: Vital signs are critical markers of illness severity in the emergency department (ED). Providers need to understand the abnormal vital signs in older adults that are problematic. We hypothesized that in patients age > 65 years discharged from the ED, there are abnormal vital signs that are associated with an admission to an inpatient bed within 7 days of discharge. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from a regional integrated health system of members age > 65 years during the years 2009 to 2010. We used univariate contingency tables to assess the relationship between hospital admission within 7 days of discharge and vital sign (including systolic blood pressure [sBP], heart rate [HR], body temperature, and pulse oximetry [SpO2 ] values measured closest to discharge) using standard thresholds for abnormal and thresholds derived from the study data. RESULTS: Of 104,025 ED discharges, 4,638 (4.5%) were followed by inpatient admission within 7 days. Vital signs had a greater odds of admission beyond a single cutoff. The vital signs with at least twice the odds of admission were sBP < 97 mm Hg (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.57-2.60), HR > 101 beats/min (OR = 2.00 95% CI = 1.75-2.29), body temperature > 37.3°C (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.90-2.41), and pulse oximetry < 92 SpO2 (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.55-2.68). Patients with two vital sign abnormalities per the analysis had the highest odds of admission. A majority of patients discharged with abnormal vital signs per the analysis were not admitted within 7 days of ED discharge. CONCLUSION: While we found a majority of patients discharged with abnormal vital signs as defined by the analysis, not to be admitted after discharge, we identified vital signs associated with at least twice the odds of admission.

Obese type 2 diabetics have a blunted hypotensive response to acute hyperthermia therapy that does not affect the perception of thermal stress or physiological strain compared to healthy adults.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a hyperthermia-hypotensive challenge via whole body hot water immersion would alter the perception of hyperthermia and physiological strain in obese type 2 diabetics (T2DM) compared to healthy non-obese (HC) individuals. Additionally, we hypothesize that the mechanisms would be attributed to impaired blood pressure adjustments and afferent signals (via changes in internal and mean skin temperatures). METHODS: In random order, eleven obese T2DM (50±12y, 45±7% fat mass, 7.5±1.8% HbA1c) and nine similar aged (41±14y, P>0.05) HC non-obese (33±8% fat mass, P<0.01) non-diabetic (5.3±0.4% HbA1c, P<0.01) underwent a 60min bout of whole body passive hyperthermia followed by 60min of recovery or a 2h resting control condition. The perception of thermal sensation (TS, scale range: 1-13), calculated physiological strain (PSI), internal (Tre, rectal) and mean skin (Tsk) temperatures, heart rate (HR) and blood pressures (BP) were the primary dependent variables. RESULTS: Hyperthermia similarly increased Tre by 1.4±0.4°C, Tsk by 6.5±0.8°C and HR by 34±8bpm in both groups (P>0.5). Hyperthermia reduced diastolic BP (27% in T2DM and 33% in HC, P<0.05) and mean arterial BP (reduced by 15% in T2DM and by 19% in HC) relative to control conditions (P<0.05). The reduction of mean arterial BP area under the curve was attenuated in T2DM (12%) compared to HC (30%) (group×condition, P<0.01). TS and PSI during hyperthermia were not different between groups. Pearson product correlation reported strong correlations (r=0.69-0.89) with Tre and Tsk with TS in both populations. The linear stepwise regression analysis revealed similar relative contributions for Tre (~60%) and Tsk (~40%) on TS for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that obese T2DM with moderate metabolic control have an attenuated hyperthermia-hypotensive response that does not affect TS and PSI. This also may suggest behavioral thermoregulation is intact in this study group.

[Changes of chosen physiological parameters in young healthy persons after sauna bathing procedures]. / Zmiany wybranych parametrów fizjologicznych u mlodych zdrowych osób pod wplywem zabiegu sauny finskiej.

UNLABELLED: The profitable influence of sauna bathing interventions on functional human organism has been known for many years. However, range of argumentation wakes up the influence of sauna bathing procedures on heart action. This questions concerns the frequency of heart action, minute heart volume as well as the parameters of arterial blood pressure. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate a changes of some cardiac parameters after sauna bathing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was changes of physiological parameters pulse, arterial blood pressure as well as the temperature of body at 44 young the healthy persons (22 men and 22 women) in age 20-25 years (the average age 22,3±1,2 years) executed. None of studied persons was ill in past on illness of respiratory and circulation system arrangement the single bathing intervention were subjected. The temperature in cabin of sauna on level 3 bench carried out 110°C and moisture achieved 15% maximally. Applied the temperature of water refreshing the body near use the shower 16-18°C carried out. According with methodology of bath in sauna near next entry to cabin of sauna studied it was commanded was to occupy on laid bench the place higher in relation to floor of sauna. Before and after intervention of sauna bathing was at all studied the measurement of arterial blood pressure, frequency of pulse as well as the temperature of body was executed. It the measurements of above mentioned parameters were after end of bath in chamber of sauna directly, and then after chilling body and 20-one-minute rest beginning. RESULTS: The statistical significant characteristic growth of value of arterial blood pressure after single cycle of bathing sauna at all studied persons was showed (cramp and diastolic) as well as the frequency of pulse and the temperature the whole body, which however he did not cross the border of physiological norms (the p<0,05), near what these higher values of all analyzed parameters be comprised in borders of physiological norms for human organism. After chilling of body and 20 minutes did not differ one-minute rest of values all of estimated parameters from exit values significant. CONCLUSIONS: The single intervention in sauna causes the growth of value of arterial blood pressure, the frequency of pulse and the temperature of young body healthy persons, be comprising in borders of physiological norms for human organism near what these higher values of all they be comprised in borders of physiological norms the analyzed parameters for human organism.

Interventional placement of thin coil shaped implants powered wirelessly for monitoring vital signals and controlling abnormal activities by electro-stimulation.

Various types of implants are being commonly used for monitoring vital signals and controlling the critically ill patient's condition such as arrhythmia, sick sinus syndrome, etc. For implanting these medical devices under the skin, surgery is inevitable. These days many patients are more willing to accept interventional therapies that are less invasive, especially inserting a catheter into a blood vessel or endoscopy through a natural orifice. To be able to use interventional therapy for implanting medical devices, they will need to be small enough to fit them through a catheter or the forceps channel of an endoscope. We evaluated a wirelessly powered prototype of a thin coil shaped (diameter 0.05 inches) implant for electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and controlling abnormal heart rhythms. An extracorporeal unit fed power to the sensors and transceiver circuit. We are planning to add sensors for detecting ECG signals and also a pulse generator for transmitting signals to the heart. At 13.6MHz, 10mW was wirelessly transferred from the helical antenna attached to the chest wall of the phantom to the coil's receiving antenna and the power enabled the sensors and circuits to work. Moreover, the coil's receiving antennas worked as stimulating electrodes similar to a pacemaker lead.

The effects of family-friend visits on anxiety, physiological indices and well-being of MI patients admitted to a coronary care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of family-friend visits on anxiety, physiological indices and well-being of patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: A checklist was used to gather socio-demographic data and physiologic indices including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and arterial oxygen saturation. The short-form of the Spielberger state anxiety inventory, a visual analog scale well-being and cardiac monitoring devices were used for collecting data. RESULTS: Patients exhibited a lower heart rate and respiratory rate in the normal range during the 10-min visiting period and within 10 and 30 min after the visiting period. The arterial oxygen saturation increased in this period. After the visiting period, patients exhibited an increase in the sense of well-being and a decrease in the level of anxiety. CONCLUSION: Family-friend visits can improve MI patients' sense of well-being and decrease their anxiety. Moreover, the visits can help to keep the physiological indices within normal limits.

The effects of music therapy on vital signs, feeding, and sleep in premature infants.

OBJECTIVES: Recorded music risks overstimulation in NICUs. The live elements of music such as rhythm, breath, and parent-preferred lullabies may affect physiologic function (eg, heart and respiratory rates, O2 saturation levels, and activity levels) and developmental function (eg, sleep, feeding behavior, and weight gain) in premature infants. METHODS: A randomized clinical multisite trial of 272 premature infants aged ≥32 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome, clinical sepsis, and/or SGA (small for gestational age) served as their own controls in 11 NICUs. Infants received 3 interventions per week within a 2-week period, when data of physiologic and developmental domains were collected before, during, and after the interventions or no interventions and daily during a 2-week period. RESULTS: Three live music interventions showed changes in heart rate interactive with time. Lower heart rates occurred during the lullaby (P < .001) and rhythm intervention (P = .04). Sucking behavior showed differences with rhythm sound interventions (P = .03). Entrained breath sounds rendered lower heart rates after the intervention (P = .04) and differences in sleep patterns (P < .001). Caloric intake (P = .01) and sucking behavior (P = .02) were higher with parent-preferred lullabies. Music decreased parental stress perception (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The informed, intentional therapeutic use of live sound and parent-preferred lullabies applied by a certified music therapist can influence cardiac and respiratory function. Entrained with a premature infant's observed vital signs, sound and lullaby may improve feeding behaviors and sucking patterns and may increase prolonged periods of quiet-alert states. Parent-preferred lullabies, sung live, can enhance bonding, thus decreasing the stress parents associate with premature infant care.

Effects of music intervention with nursing presence and recorded music on psycho-physiological indices of cancer patient caregivers.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of music intervention with nursing presence and recorded music on blood volume pulse amplitude, the low/high frequency ratio component of heart rate variability, depression, anxiety and sleep quality in cancer patient caregivers; to compare the participants evaluation of these two forms of musical intervention. BACKGROUND: Presence is one of the activities of caring. However, little is known about the effect of music intervention with nursing presence on psycho-physiological indices. DESIGN: Randomised crossover controlled trial. METHOD: Thirty-four female participants were randomly assigned to a music intervention with nursing presence/recorded music sequence or recorded music/music intervention with nursing presence sequence. Each intervention lasted 30 minutes and was held at the participant's home. The music intervention with nursing presence consisted of an erhu and recorder performance. In the recorded music session, participants listened to prerecorded music for 30 minutes. Continuous measurements of blood volume pulse and low/high frequency ratio were taken throughout the procedure. Depression, anxiety and sleep quality were measured before and after each intervention. RESULTS: Both music intervention with nursing presence and recorded music interventions had beneficial effects on anxiety, depression and blood volume pulse amplitude. Significant differences between the two interventions were also observed for anxiety. Music intervention with nursing presence was more effective in lessening anxiety and on improving the ease of getting to sleep compared with recorded music (p < 0·05). All participants reported that they preferred music intervention with nursing presence to recorded music. Significant differences were found in music evaluation scores between the two interventions in terms of harmony and friendliness (p < 0·05). CONCLUSIONS: Both music interventions were beneficial, as measured on psycho-physiological indices. The music intervention with nursing presence provided a more friendly music experience to the listeners. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings provide evidence for nurses that the therapeutic use of music and nursing presence as a research-based nursing intervention for the welfare of caregivers.

The effect of using a relaxation tape on pulse, respiration, blood pressure and anxiety levels of surgical patients.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the effect of a relaxation tape on levels of anxiety in surgical patients. BACKGROUND: Surgery is a stressful event for patients. Because of uncertainty regarding surgery and anaesthesia, patients often experience heightened anxiety and fear. DESIGN: A one-group pretest-post-test quasi-experimental design. METHODS: Samples were taken from surgical patients in a medical centre in northern Taiwan. The patients were given relaxation tapes the day before their scheduled surgery. Tests were conducted before and after patients listened to the tapes. STAI and respiration, pulse and blood pressure were used to collect data measurements on the anxiety level of these patients. RESULTS: The average age of 80 patients was 43·14 (SD 17·27) years. After the patients listened to the relaxation tape, their respiration rate dropped from 18·4 (SD 6·9) -17·8 (SD 7·4), pulse rate dropped from 81·9 (SD 33·5) - (SD 33·7), systolic blood pressure decreased from 125·4 (SD 16) mmHg - 121·5 (SD 13·4) mmHg and STAI score dropped from 50·9 (SD 11·1) - 41·1 (SD 9·8). They all showed a significant level of difference (p < 0·05). A one-time listen to the tape during the entire hospital stay was the experience of the majority (66·3%) and indicated that the STAI score can be further reduced by increasing the number of tape listening sessions (F = 14·1, p < 0·001). CONCLUSION: The results show that a relaxation tape can significantly reduce the level of anxiety and vital signs related to anxiety in surgical patients. Relevance to clinical practice. The results of this study can provide an empirical basis for nursing treatments. We recommend that relaxation tapes be included in standard of care to alleviate anxiety in surgical patients.

An oximetry-based method for monitoring reactions of autistic subjects under music auditions / Metodologia baseada em oximetria para monitoramento das reações de sujeitos autistas em audções musicais

This work aims to create a methodology to analyse the physiological effects of people exposed to sounds, specifically music and its elements, using techniques of data acquisition and signal processing to provide objective information on the subjects’reactions, in order to help the use of music in music therapy for autistics. We used a pulse oximeter with data transmission capability, data acquisition and signal processing software. The subjects and/or groups were exposed to several types of music, varying its elements, and the physiologic measurement signals were made. The acquired information data base was then converted into graphics representative of heart rate and arterial hemoglobin saturation. During the measurements, the subjects’ behaviour has been observed to relate subjective and objective results. Two groups of subjects (six non autistics and six autistics with diagnosis established) participated on this research, with ages ranging from 7 to 24 years old. As the majority of autistics are male, only boys have been invited to participate of this study. An observation protocol based on autistics behaviour was developed, the vital signals and the subjects reactions were observed and recorded. The results allow to identify and establish in an objective way any influence of music in human behaviour through sound stimulation and vital signals monitoring: SpO2 and HR.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi criar uma metodologia que possibilite analisar os efeitos fisiológicos produzidos pela exposição de pessoas à música e seus elementos, utilizando princípios de detecção, aquisição de dados e processamento de sinais, obtendo-se informações objetivas sobre as reações dos sujeitos, para dar subsídios ao emprego da música na musicoterapia com autistas. Foram utilizados um oxímetro de pulso com capacidade de transmissão de dados e aplicativos para aquisição de dados e processamento dos sinais. Foram realizados experimentos com a exposição dos sujeitos a vários tipos de músicas, com a variação de seus elementos, criando-se, assim, um banco de dados com as medições realizadas, a seguir transformando essa informação em gráficos representativos da evolução dos sinais de FC e de SpO2. Durante as medições, o comportamento dos sujeitos foi observado para que o resultado da análise subjetiva fosse relacionado com as medições objetivas. Os sujeitos desta pesquisa encontram-se na faixa etária entre 7 e 24 anos, sendo que a amostra estabelecida foi composta por seis indivíduos não autistas e seis indivíduos com diagnóstico de autismo estabelecido. Como o maior percentual de autistas é do sexo masculino, apenas de sujeitos do sexo masculino participaram. Foi desenvolvido um protocolo de observação baseado no comportamento de autistas, e os sinais vitais foram adquiridos e processados. Como resultado, foi identificada de forma objetiva a influência da música no comportamento humano pelo monitoramento dos estímulos sonoros e dos sinais vitais de SpO2 e FC.