In Reply We thank Kalluri et al for their excellent commentary in response to our article. In our trial, we investigated the effects of a prescribed, slow-tempo music (STM) playlist vs silence-track control on the primary outcome of delirium/coma-free days and secondary outcomes of delirium severity, pain, and anxiety over a 7-day intervention period.
The intervention did not result in improved delirium/coma-free days, delirium severity, pain, or anxiety. Our findings spur new questions regarding the ideal design of music-listening intensive care unit (ICU) interventions.
JAMA Internal Medicine published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 01 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Right Beat, Right Tempo—Rethinking Music Therapy in Critical Care—Reply.
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