Can such a simple “intervention” as making music from the heart to the Jesus, the source of life, help recipients of nursing care? If so, how can nurses integrate music making into their care?
Mounting empirical evidence underscores the benefits of music making for persons desiring physical and mental health. National Institute of Health (NIH) researchers documented how music as medicine can improve immune function and mood and decrease pain and anxiety.
Music also prompts emotion more than speech and can synchronize brain waves among those sharing music—improving social connection. Numerous studies indicate that music improves cardiac, respiratory, renal, and cognitive outcomes. Former NIH Director Francis Collins remarked, “Solving health problems with music rather than drugs [is] providing therapy that is spiritually uplifting and joyful.”
How can nurses integrate music into their spiritual care?
Make music in various ways. Sing with patients. Invite a patient to strum a ukulele or blow a harmonica (or play a recorder, ocarina, rainmaker, toy piano, or xylophone). Wind instruments may even be a wonderful way to strengthen lung capacity! For the very sick, music making may mean pushing a button on a digital device and singing along from one's heart.
Support patient-centered music making. Assess patient preferences. His or her socio-cultural history influences how music is best expressed. Spiritually soothing music for an Indonesian Muslim will likely sound different from that which soothes a non-denominational hipster from California, which will likely differ from what a Baptist African American from Alabama will want to experience.
If a patient can’t communicate preferences, ask family and friends for ideas. Create a playlist for the patient and note the response to different music selections to determine whether the music is welcomed.
Check patient preferences for frequency and occasions for music. Automatically leaving the television or radio on in a patient's room for hours is unlikely to be therapeutic.
Avoid imposing your musical preferences. Humming, softly singing, or playing music that comforts the nurse may be comforting and inspiring to the patient; it also could be irritating.
Follow up with reflection, if appropriate. For example, “How does that music stir you inside?” “What feelings does it express?” or “What memories does that music bring?”
Although most biblical references to music making indicate music is ultimately a medium for expressing gratitude and faith, biblical stories also suggest music can
- harness inner strength (2 Chronicles 20:22; Mark 14:26)
- express lament (e.g., Psalms 13 and 22)
- document or remember God’s presence (Deuteronomy 31:19-22)
- testify to God’s faithfulness (Acts 16:16-40).
Regardless of spiritual need, nurses can support patients to make music—a free, universally health-promoting mystery!
Elizabeth Johnston Taylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a professor at Loma Linda University School of Nursing. She regularly authors the FAQS in Spiritual Care column in the Journal of Christian Nursing.
This post is excerpted from “How Can I Integrate Music into Spiritual Care?” in the July-September 2024 issue of JCN.
Spiritual care resources are plentiful in JCN and on the NCF website.
