Patients could soon be prescribed soothing music selected by artificial intelligence to ease anxiety and pain, after an encouraging trial of a Hull health tech start-up’s new app.
MediMusic has brought forward the streaming software MediBeat, that dispenses personalised playlists in ‘Digital Drip’ form, with a wristband to monitor and adapt when necessary.
It works with the patient’s age, gender, nationality, and ethnicity and based on sociological and psychological science, it then compiles in seconds the perfect 20-minute playlist of soothing music to calm them.
Gary Jones, chief executive and co-founder, said it could revolutionise the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, pre and post operation and dentistry, through to improving motor response as part of a physical rehabilitation programme.
Initial clinical NHS trials at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, found the use of MediMusic saw up to a 22 per cent reduction in heart rate in patients with dementia during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Jones said: “We’ve always felt the music can soothe our soul but now we have compelling evidence that it can help our mind and body too. With MediMusic, we’ve managed to digitally fingerprint the DNA of music so we can prescribe the right type of music as medicine.
“Our initial clinical trials using MediMusic shows it has a very encouraging future in the treatment of patients. Doctors, nurses and care home workers will be able to monitor the effect of the music in a clinical environment and see the benefits for themselves.”
The playlist running order is designed to reduce heart rate and stress hormones like cortisol and promotes relaxation through hormones like dopamine and oxytocin. The music is played through earphones and the MediBeat streaming device and a heart rate monitor worn on the wrist.
It is also being used to support those giving the care too.
Dr Jacqueline Twamley, academic research and innovation manager at the Centre for Health Research & Innovation at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The results have been very impressive. We used MediMusic on 25 patients suffering from dementia during the Covid-19 pandemic. One 75-year-old patient had vascular dementia and was known to have sundowning behaviour, which presents as agitation.
“The use of the MediMusic service saw a reduction in pre/post heart rate: 76bpm initially, settling at 60bpm, which was a reduction of 22 per cent At the end of the playlist, agitation did not resume for about an hour afterwards.
“We believe that dispensing music as medicine could revolutionise the treatment of dementia and other similar neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
“The initial findings are so positive that we’re now looking at how it can help ease anxiety and stress in doctors and nurses working in critical care on the frontline of caring for Covid patients.
“We think it has really exciting potential.”
Mr Jones has been developing MediMusic for the past seven years. He has previously worked on projects for Sony, Intel, Yahoo, PRS and News International.
It is currently in the midst of an investment round, with crowdfunding on the Indiegogo platform also ongoing for the C4DI-based business - launched in the city as fellow firms Sauce and Lampada Digital Solutions, the latter a wholly owned subsidiary of University of Hull, both helped in development.
First consultation for MediMusic:
Nurse Sheleen Armstrong, 39, a sister working as part of the critical care outreach team, has already trialled the tech.
She said: “I was really intrigued about seeing how music could help to ease stress. As you can imagine it’s been a very stressful time working in the NHS during Covid.
“It was very simple to use, though I was surprised by the tracks selected for me as I wouldn’t normally choose them.
“But after listening to the playlist, I felt so relaxed and de-stressed.
“I definitely believe there is a future in using these personalised playlists in helping to ease anxiety and pain in patients and staff.”
Her playlist:
- Thank You – Dido
- Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
- Ocean Drive – Lighthouse Family
- Runaway – The Corrs
- Say What You Want - Texas
