# ‘Nurses’ Assessment and Perception of Live Music in the Intensive Care Unit: A Convergent Mixed‐Methods Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how ICU nurses in Denmark perceive and experience live music interventions, finding that it benefits both their emotional well-being and patient care.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into how live music impacts ICU nurses, highlighting its role in emotional well-being and professional enrichment.

## Key findings

- Nurses perceive live music as emotionally resonant and professionally enriching.
- Live music fosters presence, human connection, and holistic care in ICU settings.
- Nurses act as compassionate gatekeepers to protect vulnerable patients during live music interventions.

## Abstract

Live music interventions in hospital settings have been shown to alleviate anxiety, reduce pain and enhance patient well‐being—not only for patients but also for healthcare professionals working in high‐stress environments such as intensive care units (ICUs). However, limited research has explored ICU nurses' experiences of live music.

The aim of this study was to describe nurses' personal and professional assessment and perception of patient‐tailored live music in the ICU.

A convergent mixed‐methods study was conducted at a Danish university hospital. Quantitative data were collected via a content‐validated questionnaire among ICU nurses (n = 221; response rate 72%), while qualitative data were obtained through semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of nurses (n = 7). Data were analysed separately and merged during interpretation.

Nurses perceived live music as a valuable, emotionally resonant and professionally enriching intervention. Questionnaire results showed high levels of agreement that live music was meaningful (M = 1.56, SD = 0.75) and a positive experience (M = 1.39, SD = 0.59). The qualitative survey responses and interview data were analysed into three main categories and four subcategories: (1) Nurses' personal experience—an emotional breath of fresh air and an intense and meaningful atmosphere; (2) nurses' professional experience—bringing people together and bringing spirit, energy and motivation into care; and (3) the nurse as a gatekeeper shielding the patient.

Live music in the ICU appears to benefit not only patients but also nurses, by supporting emotional well‐being and enhancing the quality of care. It may serve as a holistic intervention that strengthens both the personal and professional dimensions of nursing practice.

Live music is a feasible and meaningful addition to ICU care. Nurses' active involvement is essential to ensure interventions remain sensitive to patient needs and clinical context. Collaboration with specially trained professional musicians may further enhance effective and sustainable implementation.

What is known about the topic
○Live music can reduce anxiety, pain and stress in hospital patients.○Live music is a feasible and accepted intervention in ICU settings.○Limited research exists on ICU nurses' experiences with live music.
What this paper adds
○Live music supports ICU nurses' emotional well‐being and professional pride.○Live music fosters presence, human connection and holistic care.○Nurses act as compassionate gatekeepers to protect vulnerable patients.

What is known about the topic
○Live music can reduce anxiety, pain and stress in hospital patients.○Live music is a feasible and accepted intervention in ICU settings.○Limited research exists on ICU nurses' experiences with live music.

Live music can reduce anxiety, pain and stress in hospital patients.

Live music is a feasible and accepted intervention in ICU settings.

Limited research exists on ICU nurses' experiences with live music.

What this paper adds
○Live music supports ICU nurses' emotional well‐being and professional pride.○Live music fosters presence, human connection and holistic care.○Nurses act as compassionate gatekeepers to protect vulnerable patients.

Live music supports ICU nurses' emotional well‐being and professional pride.

Live music fosters presence, human connection and holistic care.

Nurses act as compassionate gatekeepers to protect vulnerable patients.