Summary: A new study suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, and even heart rate, promoting recovery. An analysis of 35 studies found that patients who listened to music had lower pain levels on the first day after surgery and used less morphine than those who did not.
Music is also associated with a 3% reduction in anxiety and lower heart rate, both of which are important for improving recovery outcomes. Researchers believe the calming effects of music may be an easy and cost-effective way to promote recovery from surgery.
Important facts:
Music reduced postoperative pain by 19% and reduced opioid use. Patients who listened to music had a 3% reduction in anxiety levels. Listening to music lowered heart rate and improved circulation and recovery.
Source: American College of Surgeons
Looking for a creative way to speed up your recovery from surgery? The key may lie in listening to music, according to research presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Meeting 2024 in San Francisco, California. He says he can’t.
Researchers at California North State University School of Medicine in Elk Grove, California, analyzed existing research on music and its role in aiding recovery from surgery, narrowing down a list of 3,736 studies to 35 research papers. is.
All studies included data on patient outcomes such as pain and anxiety, as well as measures of heart rate and opioid use. In their analysis, researchers found that the simple act of listening to music after surgery, whether through headphones or speakers, had a significant impact on patients recovering.
Reduced pain levels: Patients who listened to music experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain the day after surgery. Pain was measured using two validated scales that allow patients to self-report their pain level: a numerical rating scale (approximately 19% reduction) and a visual analogue scale (approximately 7% reduction). Reduced anxiety levels: Across all studies analyzed, patients’ self-reported anxiety levels were approximately 2.5 points, as assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a patient-completed survey that rates anxiety on an 80-point scale. or decreased by 3%. Less opioid use: Patients who listened to music used less than half as much morphine on the first day after surgery as patients who did not listen to music (compared to an average of 1.654 mg for those who did not listen). (average 0.758 mg). (according to music). Decreased heart rate: Patients who listened to music experienced a decrease in heart rate (approximately 4.5 fewer beats per minute) than those who did not listen to music. The authors noted that this is important because keeping a patient’s heart rate in a healthy range can help improve. Recovery occurs by effectively circulating oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, especially in the area that underwent surgery. In addition, tachycardia, or heart rate above 100 beats, can lead to abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, which can be life-threatening.
“When patients wake up after surgery, they sometimes feel very scared and don’t know where they are,” said Eldo Frezza, lead author of the study and professor of surgery at California North State University School of Medicine. said M.D., MBA, FACS. .
“Music can help ease the transition from waking up to returning to normal, and may help reduce stress during that transition.”
Dr. Frezza and his co-authors found that unlike more active therapies such as meditation or Pilates, which require a great deal of concentration and movement, listening to music is a more passive experience that patients can use immediately after surgery. He pointed out that this can be implemented without much expense or effort.
“While we can’t specifically say that pain is reduced, our study found that patients perceived their pain to be reduced, and we think that’s just as important,” said lead author of the study. said third author Shezaib Reyes. Medical student at California Northstate University School of Medicine.
“Listening to music helps me disconnect and relax. Then I don’t have as much to do or focus on, and I can calm myself down.”
The study authors noted that lower cortisol levels when listening to music may play a role in promoting patients’ recovery from surgery. Some variables, such as the amount of time patients listened to music, could not be controlled in the analysis. Future research will also consider pilot programs to evaluate the use of music in surgical settings as well as intensive care units.
Dr. Frieza’s advice? When you feel better after surgery, listen to your favorite music.
“We’re not trying to say that one type of music is better than another,” he says. “We think music can help people after surgery in many ways, as music can be comforting and make you feel like you’re in a nostalgic place.”
Co-author of the study is Hannah Chan, B.S. Kimberly Koo, Bachelor of Science; Niloufer S. Tehrani, MTM; Julia C. Howard, BS. and Muzammil Akhtar, B.S.
The authors report no disclosures.
About this research news on music, pain, and anxiety
Author: Sheila Rai
Source: American College of Surgeons
Contact: Sheila Lai – American College of Surgeons
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original study: Results will be presented at ACS Clinical Congress 2024.
