A religious patient recently on the VITAS Chicagoland Northwest program was devastated that she no longer could attend church and sing hymns with her choir. She had no spiritual outlet, according to her husband.

Bryn McCabe, Chicagoland Northwest’s full-time music therapist who sings and plays the keyboard, guitar, flute, drums and harp, was brought in to serenade the woman. “Many terminally ill patients are introspective during this time in their lives and need spiritual healing,” said Bryn. “The power of music is one way to achieve that.”

A few hours before her death, the patient requested that Bryn sing Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. “It brought closure to the patient and family, and the family said the music released her to heaven,” said Bryn.

Music often increases quality of life for patients and families—enhancing comfort and easing pain and stress. “When I first meet patients, I find out what music they prefer. Then I guide them to a relaxing place in their minds, like the ocean, pasture or calm lake. I play subtle background music that can increase relaxation and reduce shortness of breath and anxiety,” said Bryn.

In addition to guided imagery, Bryn does lyric analyses with patients to find out why they are drawn to a particular song or music. “The music is always patient-driven. Many patients and families sing along, reminisce during songs or draft a music timeline listing songs that were important to them during certain times in their life,” said Bryn.

A female patient with Alzheimer’s disease recently requested that Bryn play the song, Tenderly. When the patient’s husband entered the room, he began to cry. “It was our wedding song 60 years ago,” he said.

For patients who are non-responsive, music therapy can be stimulating. “Our sense of hearing remains with us until the end,” said Bryn. “Regardless of the patient’s ability to respond, music is a powerful means of communication that brings loved ones toward the patient, and breaks down the fear of watching someone die.”

Musical Notes of Interest

Becky Gibbons, a VITAS Volunteer and music practitioner in training for the Broward program, plays the harp for patients once a week at the VITAS inpatient hospice unit at Florida Medical Center . She also plays for VITAS families at memorial gatherings.

“Her music lowers blood pressure and increases production of endorphins, which reduces pain and the amount of medication needed by many patients,” said Don Dolan , RN, VITAS Inpatient Unit Team Manager. “Not only does it soothe the dying, it brings comfort to our staff as well. It’s become an important component of our care.”

“In my ‘Music for Healing’ course, I learned that half an hour of music produces the same effect as ten milligrams of Valium,” said Becky Gibbons, VITAS Volunteer and harpist. “The power of music often is underestimated.”