Long-Term Effect of Music Therapy on Nurses' Self-Perceived Stress Levels

The purpose of this study was to explore the long-term effect of music therapy intervention (in this case, progressive muscle relaxation) on the self-perceived stress levels of nurses compared to nurses not receiving the intervention. Forty-Six participants, who were Registered Nurses on the Oncology units of a hospital, took part in a relaxation study in which their perceived stress levels were recorded on a Likert type scale. Participants were placed in one of two groups: the progressive muscle relaxation group (PMR), or the control group in which nurses received no relaxation intervention (NR). Results indicated that participants in the NR group or control group had no significant changes in their stress levels over a 12 hour shift period. The PMR group, or intervention group, had significant indications in relaxation between the second stress survey, given prior to the intervention, and the third stress survey given immediately following the progressive muscle relaxation intervention. After a period of 3 hours, the PMR group showed no significant increases or decreases in relaxation between the third and fourth stress survey, indicating the intervention maintained a relaxation effect after a long-term period of time. Correlations between stress and patient care, as well as, stress and job satisfaction were also identified within and between groups. These findings provide evidence of a long-term relaxation effect on stress levels through the use of music therapy intervention and also provide support for the implementation of music therapy intervention for increased medical staff support and well-being.