The effect of Music-Based Imagery and Musical Alternate Engagement on the Burn

Twenty-five patients, 7 years of age and older, who were admitted to the Comprehensive Burn Care Center, were enrolled in the study, which used a repeated-measures design with subjects serving as their own control. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Those placed in Group A received music therapy intervention during their first dressing change, and no music therapy on the following day. Group B received no music therapy intervention during their first dressing change and music therapy during their next dressing, on the following day. Data were collected at 4 intervals in the medical procedure; in the patient's room before transfer to the treatment room, in the treatment room during debridement, in the treatment room after debridement, and upon returning to the patient's room. The measurements taken were pulse, patients' self-report of pain, patients' self-report of anxiety, and the nurse's observation of patients' tension. There was a significant reduction in the self-reporting of pain in those who received imagery & music therapy in contrast to those who did not receive music therapy (P = .03). The study concludes that imagery & music therapy is a valuable noninvasive intervention for the treatment of pain afterburn injury.