MUSIC IN HOSPITAL PSYCHOLOGY: IMPACTS ON REDUCING ANXIETY IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to understand how music can be used as an integrative practice in the hospital environment, contributing to the reduction of anxiety in hospitalized patients. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and bibliographical research, based on scientific publications from the last ten years, available in databases such as SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Music, used as a therapeutic resource, has proven effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, as it acts on both physiological and emotional aspects. Among the observed benefits are the reduction of cortisol levels, the regulation of breathing, and the promotion of relaxation. Furthermore, music therapy favors the release of neurotransmitters associated with well-being, such as dopamine and serotonin, providing emotional comfort and contributing to the humanization of hospital care. The analyzed results indicate that the inclusion of music as a complementary practice is an accessible, safe, and effective alternative for managing anxiety, reinforcing the importance of approaches that consider the patient in their entirety—physical, emotional, and psychological.