Music therapy

This study investigated the effect of nature-based sounds on the preoperative anxiety of 30 patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures. Preoperative anxiety was measured utilizing a visual analog scale. Of the 30 subjects who were randomly placed in either control or experimental groups, 15 subjects comprised the experimental group who were provided with nature-based sounds, and 15 subjects comprised the control group who listened to non-vocal musical sounds. Pre-test data were collected upon admission to the preoperative area, while post-test data were collected prior to entering the operating room suite. Measurements consisting of blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were also obtained both times. Using the t-statistic, results showed significant differences in the anxiety responses and the systolic blood pressures of patients who were provided with nature-based sounds than those provided with non-vocal musical sounds. The results of this study suggest that nature-based sound decreases anxiety responses of the preoperative patient.

The study investigated the effects of music to reduce anxiety and decrease intubation times in coronary artery bypass graft and valve replacement surgical patients in an acute care hospital. Anxiety can contribute to everything from heightened emotional stress, increased pain, blood pressure changes as well as lethal cardiac dysrhythmia and reduction in peripheral and renal perfusion. Research has shown, music as a therapeutic modality, relieves anxiety and pain in patients before and after surgery. What patients hear during surgery can be a rich source of anxiety. Wearing earphones during surgery will eliminate this source of anxiety. Music is reported to distract patients in an alien environment and provide a comforting and familiar effect in discomforting conditions. Soothing music can produce a hypometabolic response characteristic of relaxation in which autonomic, immune, endocrine, and neuropeptide systems can be altered. Similarly, music produces desired psychological responses and reduction in anxiety and fear.