For Patients and Families

Celtic harpist at hospital (Click to see larger image)

• Two certified music practitioners, trained for the hospital setting, visit Children's.
• Harpists visit for 9 hours/week in half-hour sessions.
• The harp creates a calming musical environment conducive to healing and reflection.
• Harpists are available by request to all ICU's, dialysis units, surgical waiting areas and various patient care units.

The Celtic Harpists program at Children's is made possible by the David S. Weiner Award for Leadership and Innovation in Child Health, 2006.

Performing on patient unit (Click to see larger image)

• A single 20-minute session of live harp music was effective in decreasing pain and anxiety in newly post-op cardiac and thoracic patients (Aragon, Farris and Byers, 2002).

• Cancer patients who received 30 minutes of live harp music experienced anxiety reduction and decreased respiratory and heart rates (Briggs, 2003).

• Live harp music lulls newborns for 30 minutes following session, significantly reducing heart rate, inducing deeper sleep and improved behavioral scores. Recorded music had no significant effect on any of the parameters (Stanelow, 2006).

• Live harp music is an effective form of palliative care, lowering agitation and wakefulness, enhancing easier breathing with less effort (Am J Hosp Palliative Care, 2006).

Harpist performing for staff (Click to see larger image)

Please call the Chaplaincy at 617-355-4635 to schedule a harpist.

A BLESSING
By the touch of these strings,
And the blessings of God,
May you receive all you need:
hope, healing, comfort and peace.
Amen.