Using song to calm

Article

Nursery songs reduce anxiety during emergency department procedure. Compared with young children who heard no music during a head computed tomography (CT) scan, similar youngsters who heard children’s songs with integrated heartbeat sounds before and during the procedure experienced less agitation, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS).

Nursery songs reduce anxiety during emergency department procedure. Compared with young children who heard no music during a head computed tomography (CT) scan, similar youngsters who heard children’s songs with integrated heartbeat sounds before and during the procedure experienced less agitation, as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS). During the head CT, the VAS score improved in 53% of children who heard the music compared with 25% of those who did not. This indicates that 1 in 3 to 4 children will show an improvement in anxiety with use of this intervention (Park G, et al. Am J Emerg Med. 2015; 33[10]:1477-1482).

Next: Maternal supplementation of vitamin D and breast milk

Ms Freedman is a freelance medical editor and writer in New Jersey. She has nothing to disclose in regard to affiliations with or financial interests in any organizations that may have an interest in any part of this article.

Newsletter

Access practical, evidence-based guidance to support better care for our youngest patients. Join our email list for the latest clinical updates.

Recent Videos
John Browning, MD, provides practical skincare reminders ahead of summer season
Potential downstream benefits of RSV preventive measures, with Octavio Ramilo, MD
Discussing phase 3 data of Panzyga for PANS, with Michael Daines, MD
Contemporary Pediatrics: RX Review: Updates and Unmet Need in RSV thumbnail
Contemporary Pediatrics: RX Review: Updates and Unmet Need in RSV thumbnail
Contemporary Pediatrics: RX Review: Updates and Unmet Need in RSV thumbnail
Staphylococcus aureus risk in infants and neonatologist considerations with Aaron Milstone, MD
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.