Music Therapy: Sickle Cell and Pain Crisis

The Effect of Music Therapy on Pediatric Patients Admitted to the Hospital for Sickle Cell or Pain Crisis

This study will assess whether participants who receive music therapy during inpatient care report a decrease in pain and whether music therapy influences factors such as family satisfaction.

The purpose of this study is to determine if music therapy services can serve as a viable, necessary, and beneficial aspect of inpatient pain management, distraction, and coping for pediatric patients in the acute care hospital setting. The investigator will note the effect of music therapy services in conjunction with pain scores reported by the participant and an increase in self and family reported coping skills during hospitalization.

Participants will be referred by providers from pain management service, oncology/hematology service, or the gastrointestinal (GI) service for functional and abdominal pain. Participants who meet the criteria for inclusion will be selected. The study will be explained to parents and a consent form will be left for the family to review and sign at their convenience. Participants will provide a pain scale level and vitals before completing the music therapy intervention. Once the music therapy intervention is completed, the pain scale and vitals will be repeated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 5-17 years of age
• Admitted for sickle cell crisis, functional abdominal pain, or whom the pediatric pain management team is following.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English speaking
• Under 5 years old and over 17 years old
• Patients who are unable to hear or have a hearing disability
• Developmentally unable to self-report pain levels