Studies have proven that ambient sound is beneficial, not harmful, and has no side effects on patients
explains the music teacher.
With a team of researchers and specialists in computer science, medicine and music, he has been developing a study for several years which should begin in a few weeks.
The study plans to emit ambient sounds in the rooms of intensive care patients. Their reaction, identified by a biological signal such as the heart rate, will then be analyzed with theIAwhich can create a sound suitable for this reaction.
If a patient’s heart rate calms down when listening to ambient sound, this will indicate to theIA the sound relaxes the patient. I’IA will therefore continue to produce sounds of the same kind. The analysis of the reactions will also be continuous so that the ambient sound is always adapted to the mental state of the patient.
« The goal is to reduce stress and anxiety. »
Michael Frishkopf will present his study project at an online event on March 6, as part of the Juno Awards, which will take place this year in Edmonton.
Cover the stressful noise of intensive care
Noise has adverse health effects, and intensive care is very noisy, with electrocardiograms beeping, ventilators roaring and alarms going off all the time.
According to a European study dating from 2012, these patients are subjected to sounds that exceed the level recommended by the World Health Organization by 20 dB.
These sounds are important for medical staff to know if something is wrong, but they are not pleasant for these patients.
says Michael Frishkopf, adding that they can increase stress in critically ill patients.
The trials will take place on healthy people and intensive care patients.