Francesco Burrai1, Giuseppe D Sanna2, Eleonora Moccia3, Francesco Morlando4, Eugenio R Cosentino5, Virna Bui5, Valentina Micheluzzi3, Claudio Borghi5, Guido Parodi3. 1. Educational and Research, ATS Sardegna-ASSL Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy. 2. Clinical and Interventional Cardiology, Sassari University Hospital, 07100 Sassari, Italy. Electronic address: giuseppe.sanna@aousassari.it. 3. Clinical and Interventional Cardiology, Sassari University Hospital, 07100 Sassari, Italy. 4. Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milano, 20138 Milano, Italy. 5. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Practical recommendations on nonpharmacologic non-device/surgical interventions in patients with heart failure (HF) are well known. Although complementary treatments may have beneficial effects, there is no evidence that these on their own improve mortality, morbidity, or quality of life. We examined the effects of listening to recorded classical music on HF-specific quality of life (QOL), generic QOL, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and cognitive state in patients with HF in the home-care setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: Multicenter randomized controlled trial. One hundred fifty-nine patients with HF were randomized on a 1:1 basis in 2 groups: experimental (music) and control. Patients were evaluated after 30, 60, 90 days (experimental period) and at 6 months. Patients randomized to the music group listened to music from a large preselected playlist, at least 30 minutes per day, for 3 months on an MP3 player. Patients in the control group received standard care. HF-specific QOL, generic QOL, self-care, somatic perception of HF symptoms, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, andcognitive abilities were assessed throughout the use of specific scales. On average, patients in the music group showed greater improvements in terms of HF-specific QOL (P < .001), generic-QOL (P = .005), quality of sleep (P = .007), anxiety and depression levels (P < .001 for both), and cognitive performances (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS:Listening to recorded classical music is a feasible, noninvasive, safe, and inexpensive intervention, able to improve QOL in patients with HF in the home-care setting.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Practical recommendations on nonpharmacologic non-device/surgical interventions in patients with heart failure (HF) are well known. Although complementary treatments may have beneficial effects, there is no evidence that these on their own improve mortality, morbidity, or quality of life. We examined the effects of listening to recorded classical music on HF-specific quality of life (QOL), generic QOL, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and cognitive state in patients with HF in the home-care setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: Multicenter randomized controlled trial. One hundred fifty-nine patients with HF were randomized on a 1:1 basis in 2 groups: experimental (music) and control. Patients were evaluated after 30, 60, 90 days (experimental period) and at 6 months. Patients randomized to the music group listened to music from a large preselected playlist, at least 30 minutes per day, for 3 months on an MP3 player. Patients in the control group received standard care. HF-specific QOL, generic QOL, self-care, somatic perception of HF symptoms, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, and cognitive abilities were assessed throughout the use of specific scales. On average, patients in the music group showed greater improvements in terms of HF-specific QOL (P < .001), generic-QOL (P = .005), quality of sleep (P = .007), anxiety and depression levels (P < .001 for both), and cognitive performances (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Listening to recorded classical music is a feasible, noninvasive, safe, and inexpensive intervention, able to improve QOL in patients with HF in the home-care setting.