Patient-centered approach in closed psychiatric wards: The curative power of relaxing music chosen by patients

Background: Psychiatry is changing as medicine adopts a patient-centered approach. This model of care places greater emphasis on the patients’ involvement in determining the goals of their treatment and the nature of their care. This study offers a non-verbal patient-centered intervention by using relaxing music chosen by patients in a closed psychiatric ward to achieve reduction in levels of stress and psychomotor agitation. Method: Participants, patients in closed wards, entered a seclusion room whenever they showed psychomotor agitation, overwhelming stress or physical and verbal aggression. While in the seclusion room, participants in the research group (n=24) were exposed to relaxing music of their choice whereas the comparative group (n=28) did not receive any sensory stimulation. The participants filled out the Visual Analogue Scale to measure their emotional state before and after this experience while the staff filled out the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale. Results: Results show significantly higher emotional calm and prominent reduction in psychomotor agitation among the research group in comparison with the comparative group. Conclusions: Relaxing music chosen by patients has a positive effect on their emotional state and behavioral activity and may therefore serve as an alternative sensory intervention before patients reach violent situations that require restraint.