Effects of live music on satisfaction of students waiting for treatment in a university health clinic

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of live music in the waiting room of a university clinic utilizing a quasi-experimental design. Patients in the waiting room tended to give higher positive satisfaction ratings after the music condition (n = 52) than the no music control condition (n = 14). There were significant between-group differences concerning participants' satisfaction with check-in (p < .001) and if the participants would recommend this clinic to their family or friends (p < .03), with the experimental group having higher ratings. Staff working at the check-in desk also had positive perceptions and ratings of the live music condition and noted it did not interfere with their ability to conduct their job duties or ability to protect patient confidentiality. Performing students had a high degree of enjoyment providing live music at a university health clinic waiting room. The results of this study provide preliminary support for the use of live music in a university clinic waiting room and may be applicable for music therapists who supervise volunteer musicians.