Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of live environmental music therapy (EMT), prerecorded music (same music as EMT), and a control condition on state anxiety, stress, pain, and well-being levels in patients and caregivers in the emergency department (ED) waiting areas of 2 general hospitals in Colombia, South America. METHODS: This was a pragmatic, multicenter randomized clinical trial with 3 arms: standard care + EMT, standard care + prerecorded music, and standard care only. Participants included 256 adult patients and 174 caregivers. Primary outcome was the six-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Secondary outcomes were stress and pain levels, assessed with Visual Analog Scales (Visual Analog Stress Scale and Visual Analog Pain Scale), and well-being, assessed with the Well-Being Numerical Rating Scales. RESULTS: Results indicated that both music therapy interventions were associated with statistically significant reductions in anxiety, stress, and pain levels in patients and caregivers. Improvements in psychologic well-being were observed primarily in the group receiving live music therapy. Overall, live EMT showed better improvements across the emotional and physical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that live EMT and prerecorded music implemented by trained music therapists can be effective strategies for improving mental health and reducing pain in patients and caregivers in the ED waiting area.