The Effect of Music Therapy on Dyspnea Severity and Vital Signs

Intensive care is a multidisciplinary, professional field where patients with acute, life-threatening conditions or at risk of organ dysfunction are comprehensively managed. The primary goal of intensive care is to treat existing physical problems while maintaining the patient's physiological course and preventing deterioration. Perceiving breathing as strenuous and abnormal is defined as dyspnea. Assessing the severity of dyspnea is an important indicator for the progression of the disease. Dyspnea affects an individual's daily life, negatively impacting their ability to perform physical activities . Music therapy, as part of medical care, can be effectively used in the treatment of lung diseases and symptoms. It is enjoyable, cost-effective, and applicable almost anywhere . Music is reported to be effective as a pharmacological and non-invasive intervention in alleviating breathlessness . The psychological and physical effects of music on humans have long been recognized. Music, by following a specific physiological pathway, can have various effects on the body, from reducing anxiety to lowering blood pressure and inducing relaxation. It is believed that negative thoughts and experiences can lead to physiological and psychological illness. Music is believed to have a profound impact on these illnesses . There are limited studies in our country that investigate the effects of music therapy on patients admitted to intensive care with dyspnea complaints. In conclusion, dyspnea is a common problem among patients admitted to intensive care with a diagnosis of COPD. This study is planned to evaluate how music therapy affects dyspnea severity and life indicators in COPD patients admitted to intensive care. It is believed that the findings will contribute to the literature in terms of nursing care.