Creative Feasibility Study with Hospice Day Therapy Patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
'The development and use of both individualised & immersive audio listening experiences to improve the mental health and wellbeing for patients within a palliative care context; a feasibility study'
IRAS ID
293487
Contact name
Pedro Rebelo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The purpose of this larger feasibility study is the result of an earlier Masters of Research thesis (MRes). This intervention enables participants to create a legacy-based item that combines the elements of voice, music and sound design in the form of a physical delivery format. The research team believes that the intervention used in this study will have a predominantly positive impact on our selected population (palliative patients). In particular, improvements in quality of life, family communication, mental health and well-being. The purpose of processing the data from the feedback on this study is to hopefully shed some light on the most important research questions that are specifically related to our findings.Summary of Results
: This study explored how personalised sound-based experiences can improve the mental health, well-being, and quality of life for people receiving palliative care. Many people in palliative care experience emotional distress, anxiety, and a loss of identity. While music and storytelling are often used in healthcare settings, there is limited research on how personalised listening experiences might help patients.The project, called From My Perspective, recorded life story interviews with palliative care patients. These recordings were then transformed into individualised Listening Experiences, where the patient’s voice was combined with music and sound effects that reflected their memories and personal stories. These were presented in a Memory Box - a small, physical device designed for easy playback by patients and their families.
A feasibility study was conducted in Northern Ireland, involving ten participants from an outpatient service. The study aimed to assess whether this approach was acceptable to patients and whether it could offer emotional and psychological benefits. Feedback was collected through interviews, questionnaires, and informal discussions with patients, families, and healthcare staff.
Key findings:
- Patients reported a deep emotional connection to the Listening Experiences, with many describing them as comforting and meaningful.
- The process helped patients reflect on their lives and create a lasting legacy for loved ones.
- Family members valued the recordings as a way to remember their loved ones.
- Recruitment was slower than expected, and gathering formal feedback was challenging due to the sensitivity of palliative care.
Overall, the study showed that personalised Listening Experiences are an engaging and meaningful intervention for palliative care patients. Future work could explore how this approach might be expanded to other healthcare settings, including general hospitals and nursing homes.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
21/NI/0025
Date of REC Opinion
18 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion