Inhibitory Effect of Music Therapy Combined with Comfort Care on Reflux Events during Enteral Nutrition in Comatose Patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the effect of music therapy combined with comfort care on reflux events during enteral nutrition in comatose patients.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective, single-centre, non-randomised study of 120 comatose patients receiving enteral nutrition in the neurological intensive care unit from January 2022 to December 2023. According to nursing approaches received, patients were divided into a comfort care group ( n  = 58) and a combined care group ( n  = 62). The combined care group received comfort care combined with music therapy, whereas the comfort care group received comfort care alone. Key evaluation parameters included reflux episodes, reflux time, reflux height, gastric residual volume (GRV), gastric antral motility and haemodynamic indicators. Data were analysed using independent t -tests for between-group comparisons and paired t -tests for within-group pre-post comparisons. Chi-square tests were used for categorical variables.

RESULTS

Compared with the comfort care group, the combined care group was associated with significantly fewer reflux episodes, lower reflux time and height and lower GRV ( P < 0.05). Additionally, the combined care group showed higher gastric antral motility parameters (frequency, amplitude and motility index), reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lower heart rate than the comfort care group ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Music therapy combined with comfort care was associated with reduced reflux events, improved gastrointestinal function and enhanced safety of enteral nutrition in comatose patients. These findings suggest that this combined approach may be helpful in managing enteral nutrition-related complications, although prospective randomised controlled trials are needed to establish causality.