Role of Music Therapy Combined with Dyadic Coping in Enhancing Psychosocial Adaptation and Marital Well-being for Young and Middle-aged Patients Returning to Work after Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) poses significant psychosocial challenges to patients during recovery, especially for young and middle-aged patients returning to work. This study examines the effects of music therapy combined with dyadic coping (DC) on the psychosocial adaptation and marital well-being of patients with AMI and their spouses.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 60 couples of young and middle-aged patients with AMI admitted to Wuxi Second People's Hospital from January 2024 to June 2024 and their spouses. The subjects were divided into the following two groups: 30 couples received DC care (DC group), and 30 couples received music therapy combined with DC care (DCMT group). The treatment course was 2 weeks. Outcomes were measured using the Multidimensional Infarction Assessment Scale (MIDAS), the Psychological Adjustment to Illness Scale Self-report (PAIS-SR), the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test (LWMAT) and the General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS).

Results: Compared with the DC group, the DCMT group demonstrated significant improvements across all measured scales, including higher scores on the physical activity and emotional response dimensions of MIDAS, 10 dimensions of DCI and lower scores of all seven dimensions of PAIS-SR (P < 0.05). The total LWMAT and GWBS scores and the nursing satisfaction level in the DCMT group were higher than those in the DC group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Music therapy combined with DC significantly enhances psychosocial adaptation and marital well-being in patients with AMI and their spouses.

Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; dyadic coping; marital therapy; music therapy; psychosocial functioning.

Figure 1

Flowchart of patient screening and study design. Notes: AMI, acute myocardial infarction; DC, dyadic coping; DCMT: dyadic coping combined with music therapy.

Figure 2

GWBS scores of DC and DCMT groups. Notes: DC, dyadic coping; DCMT, dyadic coping combined with music therapy; GWBS, General Well-Being Schedule; ns, no statistically significant difference; **, P < 0.01.