Soothing sounds may soothe ICU stress: music therapy tested on ventilated patients

NCT ID NCT06120660

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Oviedo Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a single 60-minute session of relaxing music (60-80 bpm) played through headphones could reduce stress and inflammation in 110 sedated adults on breathing machines in the ICU. Researchers measured stress hormones and inflammatory markers in blood before and after the music. The goal was to see if music can help calm the body's stress response in critically ill patients.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: relaxing recorded music (60-80 bpm) delivered through headphones
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to lower stress and inflammation in critically ill patients on breathing machines.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-session study with 110 patients. The music was played only once, so long-term effects are unknown. Results may not apply to all ICU patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CRITICAL ILLNESS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Critical Illness Inflammation inflammatory disease Respiratory Aspiration Stress, Psychological

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CRITICAL ILLNESS INFLAMMATION RESPIRATION, ARTIFICIAL SEDATION STRESS, PHYSIOLOGICAL

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias

Oviedo, Principality of Asturias, 33011, Spain

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.