A music therapy intervention as an adjunct to chest physiotherapy in children with cystic fibrosis

Background: Chest physiotherapy (CPT) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is an important component of their therapy. It requires a significant commitment of time and energy what complicates CPT adherence and reduces its benefits. Music therapy (MT) is considered a tool to improve positive affective responses in patients with chronic diseases. Aims: To establish CPT as a positive routine in CF patients it is very important, and a MT strategy could help to develop this response. Methods: Instrumental music specifically composed, interpreted and compiled to CF children was used as an adjunct to each part of CPT routine. We compared the use of specific composed music (treated group), familiar music (control), and no music (control without music) during usual routine. Participants were children with CF aged 2-17 years of age. Enjoyment and perception of time were evaluated via questionnaires designed specifically and adapted to our study. Adherence and respiratory perception was also evaluated. Evaluation occurred at two 6-weekly intervals. Results: Enjoyment increased significantly after use of specific music (+0.9 units in children /+1.7 units in parents; p<0.05) compared to no music (0 units) and familiar music (+0.5 units). Changes in perception of time were noted in treated group (+9.7 min before vs. -11.1 min after; p<0.05). Both adherence (93 %; p<0.05) and respiratory perception (9/15) were also improved. Conclusions: Carefully composed music can lead to positive affective response of both children and parents to CPT in CF that could improve its adherence and the respiratory perception. The study was supported by the Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía (PIN-0342-2016).