Amplified Cardiopulmonary Recordings: Music Therapy Legacy Intervention with Adult Oncology Patients and Their Families - A Preliminary Program Evaluation

Background: Amplified cardiopulmonary recording (ACPR) is a unique music therapy intervention implementing recorded heartbeats with meaningful music. Although its clinical application has grown, there is limited research on the acceptability and usage by bereaved families. Objective: The research objective was to understand the frequency recipients engaged with ACPR after their loved one died. Design: A survey was undertaken with relatives of 191 adult patients who had participated in ACPR. Setting/Subjects: Bereaved loved ones of adult oncology patients who received care at the Norton Cancer Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Results: Out of the 191 participants, 73% of family members responded, 49% reported listening to their recording frequently, 31% listened to the recording at least once after receiving it, and 20% reported never listening. Conclusions: ACPR appears to have moderate acceptability and usage among bereaved family members, especially when created in the context of ongoing music therapy treatment. We recommend that this process-based music therapy intervention be studied further and offered proactively.