The Effects of Singing-based Music Therapy Program on the Level of Psychoemotional Benefits in Caregivers of ICU Patients
The Effects of Singing-based Music Therapy Program on the Level of Psychoemotional Benefits in Caregivers of ICU Patients
This study applies an one-group pre-posttest design. Primary family caregivers of ICU
 patients are recruited. After obtaining an informed consent form from each participant, he or
 she participates in an individual 1-hour singing-based music therapy intervention. At pre-
 and posttest, the changes in the level of depression, anxiety, and emotional states are
 measured.
-  Background: Family caregivers of ICU patients experience high level of distress due to
 the severity of illness that their family members demonstrate and the perceived
 limitation in control during their caregiving. This psychological issue in family
 caregivers have been documented to affect not only the caregivers' psychosocial health
 but also the quality of care for patients, which would also be influencing factors for
 treatment outcomes of patients. As such, family-centered care has been emphasized in
 related professions. Intervention efforts for family caregivers are also of interest.
 Given that music has been evidenced to effectively alleviate emotional stress of
 caregivers and that musical activities can be used in an individualized way at different
 levels, the use of music for addressing psychosocial needs of this population is
 potential. Among musical activities, singing is one of the most common activities and
 also available in everyday life regardless of the level of musical background in the
 past, which increases the possibility to utilize it as a personal strategy for
 individuals with a broad range of musical experiences and music use.

 -  Purpose: This study aimed to examine the changes in the level of depression, anxiety,
 and emotional states of family caregivers of ICU patients after participation in
 singing-based music therapy intervention.

 -  Intervention: Singing-based music therapy program consists of the sequences of the
 following: (1) listening to a participant's preferred music and identifying his and her
 emotional states, (2) singing for emotional changes, and (3) discussing what he or she
 experiences during singing and identifying how they apply such experience to their
 personal use of music for emotional changes in his or her everyday life.

 -  Measures: In order to examine the changes in the perceived psychological health after
 participation in singing-based intervention, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression
 Scale (CES-D), State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a 100mm visual analog scale for
 ratings on emotional state are administered. Also, in order to identify and control the
 effect of level of caregiving burden on current emotional states, Subjective Caregiving
 Burden Scale is administered.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Ages 18 years and over

 -  Family members (spouse, parents, or children) of patients who stay in the ICU for more
 than 3 days

 -  Provision of the majority of unpaid physical, emotional, and/or instrumental care to
 the patients

 -  Voluntarily agreement with participation in the study

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  A history of cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia), psychiatric disorders or
 neurological disorders

 -  Indication of discernible hearing deficits

 -  Difficulties in verbal communication

 -  If the caregiver's relationship to a patient is close friend or relatives (not
 immediate family of patients)

 -  Refusal to participate in the study