Effects of music therapy on ICU patients on mechanical ventilation

The Effects of Music Therapy on Adult Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation in the ICU

Not applicable Interventional Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT03642002

This study is testing if live music therapy can help ICU patients on mechanical ventilation breathe easier and recover faster.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment178 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other
Locations3 sites (New York, New York and 2 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03642002 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the impact of live music therapy on adult patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the ICU. It involves 178 patients who will be randomly assigned to either a music therapy group or a control group, with careful matching based on diagnosis, co-morbidities, age, and gender. The music therapy will be tailored to each patient's cultural preferences and will focus on promoting relaxation and comfort through a certified music therapist. The primary goal is to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation by 35% compared to the control group, while also assessing secondary outcomes such as sedation levels and ICU length of stay.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome or acute respiratory failure who are expected to require mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours.

Not a fit: Patients under 18 years of age, those with hearing disorders, or those with severe comorbidities such as active seizures or cardiac arrest may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and improve overall patient comfort and recovery in the ICU.

How similar studies have performed: While music therapy has shown promise in reducing anxiety and pain in various settings, this specific approach of entrained live music therapy in mechanically ventilated ICU patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, and ARDS admitted to the ICU requiring mechanical ventilation
* Patients that are anticipated to remain on invasive mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more will be screened for participation in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Under 18 years of age
* Identified hearing disorder
* Prior history of chronic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation
* RASS score of -4, or -5
* Active seizures, or status epilepticus
* Cardiac arrest
* Coma
* End of life
* More than 2 vasopressors

Where this trial is running

New York, New York and 2 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeAcute Hypoxemic Respiratory FailureAcute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failuremusic therapysong of kinmusic medicine
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.