Course Description

Sound-based interventions are increasingly encountered in clinical practice, from music medicine for perioperative anxiety to vibroacoustic devices marketed for pain management. This course examines neurophysiological mechanisms underlying auditory effects on autonomic function and synthesizes meta-analytic evidence supporting applications in anxiety reduction, pain management, and sleep improvement. Professional scope boundaries are clarified, distinguishing nurse-administered music medicine from credentialed music therapy requiring specialized training. Participants review contraindication screening for patients with implanted devices, hearing safety protocols, and trauma-informed approaches for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder or sensory processing differences. Critical evaluation frameworks address frequency-based claims, including binaural beats and Solfeggio frequencies, against peer-reviewed evidence. Case studies spanning surgical, behavioral health, and pediatric autism spectrum disorder contexts illustrate documentation standards, interdisciplinary communication, and cultural considerations for implementation. Content supports clinical decision-making regarding appropriate use, safe implementation within nursing scope, and indications for specialist referral.

Purpose/Goal:

The purpose of this course is to equip healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge to critically evaluate and appropriately integrate sound-based interventions into clinical practice. The course strengthens understanding of auditory neurophysiology, autonomic regulation mechanisms, and the research evidence supporting music medicine applications while clarifying professional scope boundaries between nurse-administered interventions and credentialed music therapy. By developing skills in safety screening, contraindication assessment, trauma-informed implementation, and critical appraisal of frequency-based claims, the course aims to support informed clinical decision-making, safe patient-centered care, and adherence to evidence-based practice standards within nursing scope.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion you will be able to do the following: 1. Differentiate among music therapy, music medicine, sound therapy, and non-clinical sound wellness practices in terms of scope of practice, required credentials, and supporting evidence base. 2. Describe fundamental acoustic principles of therapeutic sound (e.g. frequency, amplitude, resonance) and explain how sound and vibration propagate through air, human tissue, and fluid. 3. Identify key neuroanatomical structures and physiological processes involved in the auditory pathway, including central auditory integration and neural responses to rhythmic auditory stimuli. 4. Analyze how auditory stimulation influences autonomic nervous system regulation, including its effects on vagal tone, heart rate variability, and the stress response. 5. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of current research evidence for sound and music interventions across various clinical applications (anxiety, pain, sleep, and mental health outcomes). 6. Distinguish well-supported mechanisms of vibroacoustic and frequency-based interventions from claims that lack sufficient scientific evidence. 7. Identify important safety considerations, contraindications, and hearing protection standards for implementing sound-based interventions in healthcare settings. 8. Describe trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and sensory-sensitive approaches to delivering sound-based interventions for vulnerable patient populations. 9. Select appropriate patient education strategies, documentation practices, and interdisciplinary communication methods to integrate sound-based interventions into clinical practice. 10. Analyze clinical scenarios to determine appropriate sound intervention selection, necessary safety screening, and ethical decision-making across diverse healthcare settings.

Course Content:

• Foundations of therapeutic sound: terminology, scope of practice, and professional boundaries • Physics and acoustics of sound: frequency, amplitude, propagation, and biological transmission • Neurobiological pathways of auditory processing and autonomic regulation • Evidence base for music medicine and music therapy interventions • Frequency-based and vibroacoustic interventions: mechanisms and critical evaluation • Clinical applications across perioperative, pain management, sleep, and behavioral health settings • Safety, contraindications, and hearing conservation protocols • Trauma-informed, cultural, and sensory considerations • Patient education, communication, and documentation standards • Professional practice integration, environmental noise management, and provider well-being • Clinical case studies and applied decision-making frameworks

Target Audience:

Healthcare professionals and allied health practitioners seeking evidence-based knowledge to evaluate sound interventions, clarify scope of practice boundaries, and safely integrate music medicine into clinical care.

Criteria for Successful Completion:

Complete the course in full. Complete the evaluation survey. All course components must be completed by the learner individually. A Certificate of Completion will be issued automatically upon meeting all criteria.

Commercial Support:

This educational activity has not received any commercial sponsorship or financial support.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

JIVE Enterprises LLC and the course planner and author have no relevant financial relationships with any ineligible companies or commercial interests to disclose.

Accreditation:

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP18120 for 10.0 contact hours. This course fulfills nursing continuing education requirements in the following state(s): California.

Jurisdiction & Learner Responsibility:

Continuing education requirements vary by state; learners should consult their state nursing board for the most current information. Compliance with CE requirements is the responsibility of each individual learner. Completion of this course does not imply authorization to practice beyond the scope of nursing licensure. Learners are responsible for applying knowledge gained in accordance with their state’s Nurse Practice Act, employer policies, and clinical judgment.

Accommodations for Disabilities:

Every effort will be made to accommodate learners with disabilities. To request accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Non-Endorsement of Products:

Provider approval by the California Board of Registered Nursing does not imply endorsement of any commercial products or services.

Off-Label Use Disclosure:

This course does not include discussion of any off-label use of drugs, biologics, or medical devices.

Implicit Bias Statement:

This course acknowledges that healthcare delivery occurs within systems shaped by historical and ongoing structural inequities. Sound and music carry culturally specific meanings that vary across communities, and therapeutic preferences are influenced by individual lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and social contexts. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to examine personal assumptions about music preferences, recognize that Western clinical frameworks may not reflect all cultural perspectives on sound and healing, and approach patient care with cultural humility. The course emphasizes patient autonomy, individualized assessment, and avoidance of assumptions based on demographic characteristics. Practitioners are responsible for continuously reflecting on how implicit biases may influence clinical decision-making and for centering patient voices in selecting and implementing sound-based interventions.

Instructors:

Andrew Nakamura, BSN, RN – Registered nurse and course planner with clinical experience in acute care nursing and continuing professional development course design.

Best Practices:

JIVE Enterprises LLC adheres to rigorous standards in developing evidence-based, unbiased continuing education content, and maintains full compliance with all applicable CE regulations.

Refund & Cancellation Policy:

Learners may request a full refund within 14 days of enrollment, provided that no course sections have been completed.

Expiration Date:

December 31, 2027

Curriculum

2 Chapters · 2 Lessons

  1. 1

    Course Content

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Content

  2. 2

    Evaluation

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Evaluation

Copyright & Intellectual Property

© 2025 JIVE Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this course may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the provider, except for personal, non-commercial educational use.

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