Creativity and consciousness: Music therapy in intensive care

Journal/Book: Arts in Psychotherapy. 1991; 18: 359-362.

Abstract: Investigated the effect of music therapy on 5 intensive care patients (aged 15-40 yrs) with severe coma. Each music therapy contact lasted between 8 and 12 min. The therapist improvised a wordless singing based on the tempo of each S's pulse and breathing pattern. The character of each S's breathing determined the nature of the singing. There was a range of reactions from a change in breathing, fine motor movements, grabbing movements of the hand, turning of the head, and eyes opening to the regaining of consciousness. When the therapist first began to sing there was a slowing down of the heart rate. Then the heart rate rose rapidly and sustained an elevated level until the end of contact.

Note: music therapy; 15 40 yr old intensive care patients with severe coma

Keyword(s): Music therapy; intensive care; coma ; adulthood ; adolescence

Zurück | Weiter