Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease that affects 1 million Americans with approximately 30,000 new cases every year. IBD may cause a lifetime of pain and suffering that directly affects quality of life. IBD individuals have reported that the chronicity of the disease has disrupted their lifestyle by causing difficulties with employment, disruptions in their lifestyle, and decreasing their quality of life possibly leading to anxiety. Various relaxation therapies have been studied that decrease anxiety in these IBD individuals including deep breathing, nurse-led counseling, and music. Music has been studied in surgical patients, palliative care patients, and pre and post CABG patients resulting in decreased anxiety levels. However, no studies using music to decrease anxiety have been located. Therefore, the purpose of this quasi-experimental controlled study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-week music therapy program for state anxiety reduction in IBD individuals and to determine the effects of music on the physiological indicator of anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Form Y-1 scale and the heart rate (HR) as measurements. The study used a convenience sample. The control and experimental group relaxed in a quiet room for 20-30 minutes 5 times a week. The experimental group also listened to music during that time. Heart rate was monitored by the subjects before and after the relaxation/ music period. The STAI Form Y-1 was completed at the initial visit and at the end of the six week period. Results will be entered in the SPSS windows program and MANOVA will be performed to analyze the data. Implications are that nursing care can be instrumental in developing ways IBD individuals can manage and cope with anxiety. Anticipated outcomes include a lower level of anxiety among those who completed the program of music therapy. Laurie Knippen BSN, RN, CWOCN
Session #1223 - Graduate Student Poster Session
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)