Effects of music on patient anxiety - Research

AORN Journal,  Feb, 2003  by Esther Mok,  Kwai-Yiu Wong

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

PATIENTS' PERCEPTION OF MUSIC DURING SURGERY

For the choice of music, 60% of patients commented that the choice of songs offered was not wide enough. Although they were disappointed that their own particular choice of music could not be granted, they were happy when the style of music played was similar to that requested. When asked whether they would have brought their own favorite selection to the hospital, about 40% responded that they would have done so had it been suggested. Two patients requested religious music, which was not available, but they still were happy with the music recommended.

With regard to the perceived helpfulness of the music, an attitudinal scale was used to rank patients' feelings toward the music, which is shown in Table 6. Among the 40 patients, only two subjects rated the helpfulness of music as fair because they did not like the songs much. The high percentage of scores in the "very good" (ie, 50%) and "excellent" (ie, 35%) categories were reflected in the enthusiastic and pertinent remarks made by patients when they were asked to describe the support the music provided during their procedure.

The majority of the patients focused on their awareness of the music as an aid to relaxation. One patient said, "The music was relaxing and amazing. In my past similar operations, I cried out a lot, but this time I felt much relaxed. It was the beloved songs I selected which comforted me and settled me down."

For other patients, music acted as an important distraction and a familiar personal medium that dispelled much of their fear and anxiety. One patient said,

   It took my mind off what was going on in the
   environment. It was fantastic that it evoked my
   memories of good time and personal association.
   With the headphones, environmental
   sound and the dialogue between doctor and
   nurse were shielded The music helped me
   escape to my own little world It was good for
   someone who was nervous.

Some patients were immersed totally in the songs they selected while undergoing their surgical procedure. Listening to the songs resulted in turning an awful experience into a pleasant one. One patient described her experience. "I have enjoyed the beloved songs during the operation. It seemed that I had met an old friend who comforted me, protected me, and helped me in passing the frightful time of the operation."

Most of the patients were doubtful about the effects of music at the beginning of their surgical procedures, but shortly thereafter, they appeared peaceful and relaxed. They closed their eyes and remained still during the surgical procedures. Some patients began dozing and woke up only when the procedure was finished.

DISCUSSION

Researchers hypothesized that patients who listened to music during their minor surgery with local anesthesia would experience significantly lower anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate levels than those who did not listen to music. Results support the hypothesis and reveal that patients in the experimental group had significantly lower values in anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate levels than patients in the control group. Patients in the experimental group demonstrated a significant decrease from pretest to posttest in anxiety level, blood pressure, and heart rate. Patients in the control group showed an almost reverse pattern.