Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Measuring the Effects of Music-Listening On Distress After Intensive Care

This study is investigating if listening to personalised music can help people feel better after leaving intensive care. Many people feel stressed, anxious, or down after such a serious illness. Researchers want to see if listening to music you choose yourself can reduce these feelings and improve your overall well-being. The study will compare how people feel when they aren't listening to music, when they are listening to it daily, and then after they stop. They'll be asked to rate their mood and other feelings regularly to understand if music makes a difference to their recovery.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Edinburgh

Enrolment target

Start

01 Aug 2026

Estimated completion

01 May 2027

Post-ICU Patients PICS

What is this study about?

When you've been seriously ill and spent time in intensive care (sometimes called ICU or critical care), it's common to feel stressed, anxious, or even depressed afterwards. This is often called Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). This research study wants to find out if listening to music you enjoy can help people feel better during this recovery period.

The main idea is to see if music can help reduce feelings of being upset, anxious, or sad. It also aims to understand if music can improve your general quality of life after such a big event. The study will look at how your mood and feelings change over time when you listen to music compared to when you don't.

Researchers hope that the results of this study will help us understand better ways to support people recovering from intensive care, making their journey to feeling well again a little easier.

Key takeaways

Study explores if music helps stress after intensive care.
Participants listen to their own chosen music daily.
Aims to reduce anxiety, depression, and improve well-being.
Involves daily ratings and questionnaires from home.
Participation is voluntary and you can leave at any time.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be 18 years old or older and have recently spent time in intensive care. It's important that you're currently feeling a bit distressed or upset about your intensive care stay. You also need to have access to a device (like a smartphone, tablet, or computer) that connects to the internet at home.

However, you can't join if you're unable to properly understand what the study involves and agree to take part, for example, if you have severe memory problems or are very confused. You also can't participate if you have serious trouble communicating, don't speak English well enough for the questionnaires, or if you have severe, uncorrected hearing problems that would stop you from hearing music.

Finally, if you're currently going through a severe mental health crisis, have recently tried to harm yourself, or are already involved in another study looking at reducing distress, this study won't be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you recently been in intensive care?
Do you feel somewhat distressed about your intensive care stay?
Do you have internet access and a device to listen to music at home?
Can you understand and give permission to join the study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study will involve three main periods. First, there's a baseline period where you won't be listening to music for the study, and you'll continue with your usual care. Then, during the intervention phase, you'll be asked to listen to at least 30 minutes of music you've chosen yourself each day.

Throughout the study, you'll rate your feelings of distress every day using a simple scale. You'll also fill out questionnaires about your mood, anxiety, how you feel about past events, and your general well-being at the beginning, during the music-listening phase, and after that phase has ended. There are no visits required, all participation is from home. The total duration of your participation isn't specified but involves daily tracking and three sets of questionnaires.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is that listening to music might help you feel less stressed, anxious, or down, and potentially improve your quality of life. There are very few risks associated with listening to music you enjoy, but you might find answering the questions about your feelings brings up some difficult emotions. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

NHS Fife
Verified postcode
Kirkcaldy, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'intensive care'?

Intensive care, also called critical care or ICU, is a hospital ward for people who are very seriously ill and need constant monitoring and support.

What is 'personalised music'?

This means music that you choose yourself, based on what you enjoy and what helps you relax or feel better.

Do I need to be a musician to join?

No, you don't need any musical ability or experience. You just need to be able to listen to and enjoy music.

Will my own doctor know I'm in the study?

The study team will discuss with you how your medical team will be informed, ensuring your privacy is respected.

What happens to the information I give?

All your information will be kept private and confidential. It will be used to understand if music helps people after intensive care, and your name will not be shared.

How to find out more

Joanna Rickman, MSc, BSc

j.b.rickman@sms.ed.ac.uk 0131 651 3969 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.