C Davies1, J Shurdington2, K Murray3, L Slater4, D Pearson5. 1. School of Allied Health & School of Population Health (M315), The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia. Electronic address: christina.davies@westnet.com.au. 2. St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Jenny.Shurdington@sjog.org.au. 3. School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: kevin.murray@uwa.edu.au. 4. St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: Louise.Slater@sjog.org.au. 5. St John of God Health Care, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Deborah.Pearson@sjog.org.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of real-world, hospital-based, arts programmes is important for quality assurance, to increase knowledge of successful practice and awareness of effective arts-health collaborations. The objective of this study was to describe the Music for Wellness programme and evaluation at St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, Australia. STUDY DESIGN: An impact evaluation and quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted. METHODS: The Music for Wellness programme for rehabilitation patients ran on a weekly basis for 18 weeks (i.e., 18 stand-alone workshops). Evaluation feedback was collected from patients and hospital staff/visitors. The primary outcome measures were pre-post workshop changes in patients' mood, measured via a 'faces' visual analogue scale; and pain, measured via a numerical rating scale. Linear mixed models and growth curve analyses were performed. Evaluation questions about mental well-being, pain reduction, musical skill attainment and the hospital environment were also asked and, a descriptive analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Between the baseline, preworkshop and postworkshop time points, a significant increase in rehabilitation patients' mood and decrease in self-reported pain were found. Changes were consistent over time. The patients and hospital staff/visitors agreed the programme enhanced the hospital environment and music skills, resulted in positive benefits (e.g., relaxation, opportunity to socialise) and should be continued. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information about a low-cost, non-pharmacological programme that successfully enhanced the hospital environment and supported patients' well-being in a rehabilitation setting.
OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of real-world, hospital-based, arts programmes is important for quality assurance, to increase knowledge of successful practice and awareness of effective arts-health collaborations. The objective of this study was to describe the Music for Wellness programme and evaluation at St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, Australia. STUDY DESIGN: An impact evaluation and quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted. METHODS: The Music for Wellness programme for rehabilitation patients ran on a weekly basis for 18 weeks (i.e., 18 stand-alone workshops). Evaluation feedback was collected from patients and hospital staff/visitors. The primary outcome measures were pre-post workshop changes in patients' mood, measured via a 'faces' visual analogue scale; and pain, measured via a numerical rating scale. Linear mixed models and growth curve analyses were performed. Evaluation questions about mental well-being, pain reduction, musical skill attainment and the hospital environment were also asked and, a descriptive analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Between the baseline, preworkshop and postworkshop time points, a significant increase in rehabilitation patients' mood and decrease in self-reported pain were found. Changes were consistent over time. The patients and hospital staff/visitors agreed the programme enhanced the hospital environment and music skills, resulted in positive benefits (e.g., relaxation, opportunity to socialise) and should be continued. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information about a low-cost, non-pharmacological programme that successfully enhanced the hospital environment and supported patients' well-being in a rehabilitation setting.