The influence of music on the elderly

Teoretična izhodišča: Glasba je umetnost in predstavlja univerzalno, nevidno moč, ki omogoča spremembe na fizični, čustveni, duševni in duhovni ravnipomirja, spodbuja, tolaži, odpira našo notranjost in celi duševne rane ter ugodno vpliva na človekovo počutje in sproščenost. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti učinke glasbe predvajane s klavirjem na krvni tlak, srčni utrip in počutje starostnikov. Metodologija: Izvedena je bila kvantitativna in kvalitativna metodologija raziskovanja. V randomizirani študiji je sodelovalo 60 starostnikov iz izbranega doma starejših občanov. Študija je vključevala posameznike z diagnosticirano arterijsko hipertenzijo. V teoretičnem delu smo uporabili metodo kompilacije, v empiričnem delu pa deskriptivne frekvenčne in inferenčne statistične metode. Za potrditev hipotez smo uporabili neparametrični Wilcoxonov test. Prav tako smo izvedli intervju z devetimi sodelujočimi osebami v eksperimentalni skupini. Za obdelavo podatkov pridobljenih v okviru kvalitativne metodologije je bila uporabljena vsebinska analiza podatkov. Rezultati: V raziskavi smo s statistično analizo podatkov ugotovili, da je glasba ugodno vplivala na vitalne funkcije starostnikov, saj so se vrednosti meritev statistično značilno znižale, in sicer sistolični krvni tlak (Z = -1,975, p = 0,048) in srčni utrip (Z = -2,457, p = 0,013). V kontrolni skupini ni bilo zaznati statistično pomembnih razlik med začetnimi in končnimi vrednostmi meritev. V oceni anksioznosti pa smo zaznali statistično pomembno razliko tako v eksperimentalni (Z = -2,044, p = 0,040), kot kontrolni (Z = -2,907, p = 0,03) skupini. V oceni počutja ni bilo zaznati statistično pomembnih razlik ne v eksperimentalni in ne v kontrolni skupini starostnikov. V analizi podatkov kvalitativne raziskave je bilo ugotovljeno, da je pri posameznikih prišlo do izboljšanja počutja na telesnem, kognitivnem, emocionalnem in socialnem področju. Sklep: Iz analize podatkov ugotavljamo pozitivne učinke glasbe na krvni tlak, srčni utrip in počutje starostnikov. V mnogih bolnišnicah in ustanovah po svetu že uporabljajo glasbo kakor tudi glasbeno terapijo za sprostitvene namene in lajšanje bolečin. Tudi v Sloveniji bi jo lahko vključili kot pomoč pri zdravljenju, sproščanju in izboljšanju počutja. Hkrati pa bi bilo potrebno ljudi spodbujati k večji odprtosti in naklonjenosti za nefarmakološke metode zdravljenja.Theoretical background: Music is art and represents a universal, invisible power that enables changes in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levelit soothes, encourages, comforts, opens our inwardness and heals mental wounds, and has a favourable impact on human well-being and relaxation. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of music played on the piano on blood pressure, heart rate and well-being of the elderly. Methodology: Conducted was a quantitative and qualitative research methodology. In a randomized study were involved 60 elderly people from a selected home for the elderly. The study included individuals diagnosed with arterial hypertension. In the theoretical part, we used the method of compilationhowever, in the empirical part we used the descriptive frequency method and inferential statistical method. To confirm the hypothesis we used the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. We have also conducted interviews with nine people participating in the experimental group. The content analysis of data was used for the processing of data obtained in the context of qualitative methodology. Results: In the study we have found, using a statistical analysis of the data, that music has a favourable impact on the vital functions of the elderly, as the measurement values statistically significantly decreased, namely the systolic blood pressure (Z = -1,975, p = 0,048) and heart rate (Z = -2,457, p = 0,013). In the control group there were no statistically significant differences between the initial and final measurement values. However, in the assessment of anxiety we observed a statistically significant difference in both experimental (Z = -2,044, p = 0,040) and control (Z = -2,907, p = 0,03) group. In the assessment of well-being, there were no statistically significant differences neither in experimental nor in the control group of elderly people. In the data analysis of qualitative research was found that the individuals had improvements in the physical, cognitive, emotional and social area. Conclusion: We found out through the analysis of data there are positive effects of music on blood pressure, heart rate and well-being of the elderly. In many hospitals and institutions around the world music as well as music therapy has already been used for the purpose of relaxation and pain relief. It could be included also in Slovenia, as an aid in the treatment, relaxation and improving the well-being. At the same time, it would be necessary to encourage people to be more open and fond of non-pharmacological methods of treatment