Music therapy effects on the quality of life and the blood pressure of hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND: Arterial Hypertension (AH) is a mass disease, with consequences for the cardiocirculatory system, since its complications raise the rates of morbidity and mortality. Controlling blood pressure (BP) reduces complications and may preserve the quality of life (QOL) of patients. Studies show positive effects of music therapy as an adjuvant in the treatment of several diseases. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of music therapy on the QOL and BP control of hypertensive patients. METHODS: This was a controlled clinical study that evaluated patients of both genders, aged over 50 years, with stage 1 hypertension, in use of medication and enrolled in multidisciplinary service for treatment of hypertension. They were divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG, in addition to the conventional treatment, participated in weekly music therapy sessions for twelve weeks. The CG received the standard treatment of the service. Before and after the intervention, the SF-36 questionnaire was applied in both groups, and the BP of each patient was measured. The voice, an important element of communication, reflecting the patient's physical, mental and emotional state, was the main resource used. Statistics: Student T-test and Wilcoxon test were considered significant at p <0.05. RESULTS: The groups were initially similar in gender, age, education, and the assessed QOL. In the initial and final comparison of EG patients, we observed a significant improvement on the QOL (p <0.05) and BP control (p <0.05), with no change in adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy has contributed to an improvement on the QOL and BP control of patients, suggesting that this activity may represent a therapeutic approach to help strengthen the programs of multidisciplinary care of hypertensive patients.

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2009 Nov;93(5):534-40. Zanini CR, Jardim PC, Salgado CM, Nunes MC, de Urzêda FL, Carvalho MV, Pereira DA, Jardim Tde S, de Souza WK. Liga de Hipertensão Arterial, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brasil. mtclaudiazanini@gmail.com