Effect of Using two Different Auditory Stimulation on Patients Clinical Outcomes in Cardiac Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Background: Cardiac intensive care patients often experience anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance due to chest pain, separation, and difficulty orienting, with auditory stimulation as a nonpharmacological tension relief alternative. Aim: The study compares the effects of two auditory stimulation methods on cardiac patients' vital signs, chest pain severity, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Research design: A randomized controlled study with a single-blind design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in CICUs at Tanta University Hospital in Gariba government, Egypt. Population: Eighty patients were included in this study, with forty patients equally assigned to each group. Tools of data collection: Three tools were used: the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) questionnaire. Results: The study found no significant differences between two groups in terms of demographic data, heart rates, respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation. The Nature sound group had a higher RCSQ score, lower chest pain severity scores, and a gradual decrease in anxiety and depression levels over three study days. Conclusion: The study found significant improvements in SpO2 and vital signs after exposure to family voice messages or natural sound intervention, improved sleep quality, and reduced anxiety and depression. Recommendation Our findings provide additional proof that auditory stimulation has the potential to improve cardiac patients' clinical outcomes. Incorporating auditory therapies into routine care protocols may improve patient rehabilitation and quality of life. More multicenter studies, validation, comparison with a control group, and other treatments were recommended.