What it means
A treatment in which a credentialed music therapist uses listening, singing, playing or writing music toward set goals. It is used to ease pain and anxiety, to help children in the hospital cope, to calm and connect with people who have dementia, and in rehabilitation after a stroke. Nurses can also use music as a simple comfort measure on their own.
For the nurse
Ask what music the client likes; familiar, preferred music works best. Music can be offered with pain medicine and during procedures to lower anxiety.
Related terms
intervention
An action taken to help a client, such as a treatment, a test, a teaching session or a nursing action.