THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC ASSISTED RELAXATION ON PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY

The purposes of this study were to determine: (a) if there was a signi ficant decrease in physiological indicators of stress following Music Assisted Relaxation (MAR) interventions; (b) if there was a significan t decrease in anxiety scores, as measured by the state portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Index for Children (STAIC), following MAR; and (c) to compile and analyze comments of patients and staff in response to interventions. Twenty pediatric burn patients, ranging in age from 8 t o 20 years, participated in the study. All subjects were surgical pati ents on the reconstructive unit of a pediatric burns hospital. During the preoperative period, subjects in the experimental group received M AR interventions that included music listening, deep diaphragmatic bre athing, progressive muscle relaxation, and imagery. Subjects in the co ntrol group received standard preoperative interventions. Results indi cated a significant decrease in anxiety scores for the experimental gr oup. The control group showed no significant change in anxiety. No sig nificant change in physiologic measures was indicated for either group . Responses to the subject questionnaire were consistent with STAIC re sults with all subjects responding positively to interventions. The st aff questionnaire revealed support for interventions and ideas for imp roved interventions.