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Navidhamidi M, Ebadi K. The Effect of Familiar Voices on Physiological Parameters in Patients with Decreased Level of Consciousness Admitted to Intensive Care Units of Teaching Hospitals Affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. SJNMP 2026; 11 (2)
URL: http://sjnmp.muk.ac.ir/article-1-711-en.html
URL: http://sjnmp.muk.ac.ir/article-1-711-en.html
1- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,k-ebadi@alumnus.tums.ac.ir
2- Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (17 Views)
Background and Aim: Patients with decreased consciousness are at risk of sensory deprivation because of reduced responsiveness to environmental stimuli. Auditory stimulation with a familiar voice, particularly that of a close family member, may be a simple non-pharmacological intervention in intensive care. This study evaluated its effect on physiological parameters.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 70 patients. After seven exclusions (four intervention, three control), 63 patients (31 and 32, respectively) were analyzed. A close family member’s voice, in the patient’s native language and at a maximum intensity of 60 dB, was delivered through headphones for 10 minutes twice daily (morning and evening) for 14 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and SpO₂ were recorded before and after the intervention.
Results: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were significantly lower in the familiar-voice group than in the control group after both morning and evening sessions (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in respiratory rate (morning, P=0.101; evening, P=0.390). After baseline adjustment, the morning difference in SpO₂ was not significant (P=0.053), whereas the evening difference was significant, with higher mean SpO₂ in the control group (P=0.036).
Conclusion: Familiar-voice stimulation was associated with reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate but had no significant effect on respiratory rate. Findings for SpO₂ were inconsistent. This simple, low-cost intervention may be considered a complementary nursing strategy for patients with decreased consciousness.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 70 patients. After seven exclusions (four intervention, three control), 63 patients (31 and 32, respectively) were analyzed. A close family member’s voice, in the patient’s native language and at a maximum intensity of 60 dB, was delivered through headphones for 10 minutes twice daily (morning and evening) for 14 days. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and SpO₂ were recorded before and after the intervention.
Results: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were significantly lower in the familiar-voice group than in the control group after both morning and evening sessions (P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in respiratory rate (morning, P=0.101; evening, P=0.390). After baseline adjustment, the morning difference in SpO₂ was not significant (P=0.053), whereas the evening difference was significant, with higher mean SpO₂ in the control group (P=0.036).
Conclusion: Familiar-voice stimulation was associated with reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate but had no significant effect on respiratory rate. Findings for SpO₂ were inconsistent. This simple, low-cost intervention may be considered a complementary nursing strategy for patients with decreased consciousness.
Keywords: Familiar Voice, Auditory Stimulation, Physiological Indices, Decreased Level of Consciousness, Intensive Care, Randomized Clinical Trial
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/09/7 | Revised: 2026/09/14 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/01/10 | ePublished: 2026/01/10
Received: 2026/09/7 | Revised: 2026/09/14 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/01/10 | ePublished: 2026/01/10
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