The Effects of Music Therapy on Pediatric Patients' Pain and Anxiety During Donor Site Dressing Change

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety in pediatric burn patients during a donor site dressing change. Fourteen subjects were randomly selected to participate in this study. The experiment was conducted in the Reconstructive Unit of Shriners Burns Hospital-Boston. The experimental group's intervention consisted of live music and was compared to a control group whose intervention was verbal interaction. Psychological, behavioral, and physiological data were assessed through the Wong Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, the Fear Thermometer, the Nursing Assessment of Pain Index, heart rate, and respiration rate. Data were analyzed using the ANCOVA, Mann-Whitney U, and regression analysis. The results were mixed and inconclusive. The members of the experimental group reported anecdotal information about the effects of music on pain and anxiety. An exploration of the limitations of the study and suggestions for further study are discussed.