Unconsciousness Level Improved by Care and Music

An 87-year-old man with femoral fracture, pneumonia, cerebral infarction, and respiratory failure improved with aid from his family, favorite music played on a radio or CD, and other co-medical care. The patient was admitted to our hospital for a femoral fracture and pneumonia. A tracheostomy was performed for respiratory failure. The patient was managed with a portable artificial ventilator. His condition was complicated by brain infarction and declining consciousness level. His daughter brought music to play on a radio or CD, and we found that his consciousness level rose when she was there to take care of him. We also provided oral care and bathing while he was on the portable ventilator. We used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess the patient's improvement and evaluate changes in consciousness due to music. EEG data were examined by neurosurgeons, who determined that there was little significant difference between results obtained before and after listening to music. Thus,we considered the patient's improvement in consciousness level in this case was due to the care provided by his family and co-medical staff, which might have increased his sensitivity to music.