Music Therapy Intervention to Reduce Caregiver Distress at the End of Life

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a music therapy intervention for caregivers of hospitalized patients who are referred to inpatient hospice.

Detailed Description
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Caregivers are at high risk for stress, poor quality of life (QOL), and burnout. As a patient nears death, common themes for caregivers include anxiety and emotional distress from impending death, anticipatory grief, and acceptance of loss, which negatively impact the caregiver QOL. Investigators propose to conduct a pilot project to investigate music therapy impact on caregiver distress for caregivers of imminently dying hospitalized patients referred to hospice. Upon enrollment, caregivers will be provided a music therapy intervention with legacy-building components, and will be asked to complete 3 brief questionnaires on distress and quality of life before and after the music therapy to assess their response to the intervention. The overall aim is to reduce caregiver distress and optimize QOL.

Official Title
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Music Therapy Intervention to Reduce Caregiver Distress at the End of Life: A Feasibility Study

Conditions
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Quality of Life, Stress, Anxiety, Depression

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Music Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age > 18 years Self-identified caregiver English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: 1. Unable to provide consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: This study plans to enroll 20 subjects. All subjects will receive 1 music therapy intervention lasting approximately 1 hour.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Music Therapy<br>1 music therapy session, lasting approximately 45 min-1 hr | Other: Music Therapy<br>* Music therapy is tailored to subject preference. Examples are active music-making, supportive listening, and includes opportunities for legacy building to decrease caregiver distress and promote self-care.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pearlin role overload measure (ROM) | 4-item self-administered measure of caregiver stress | Baseline to 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA) | 10-item self-report of general measures of quality of life (QOL) | Baseline to 6 months | 
| Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety (PHQ-4) | 4-item self-administered screening tool that combined two validated two-item screeners for depression and anxiety | Baseline to 6 months | 
| Music Therapy Program Survey | Survey to assess satisfaction regarding the therapy service provided | Up to 72 hours after intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Hospice, Palliative Care, Integrative Medicine, Music Therapy, Inpatient, Caregiver