The effects of music on the anxiety and some physiological indices of patients before general surgery

Background: Surgery is an important stressor, which causes some harmful physiological responses such as increased breath and heart rate and blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of music on the anxiety and some physiological responses of patients before general surgery.

Methods: A clinical trial study designed and 60 patients who were scheduled to undergo general surgery were selected using convenience sampling method in Shahid Beheshty hospitals of Kashan in 2009. They were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The level of anxiety was measured using Spilberger questionnaire. Blood pressure measured using mercury sphygmomanometer, respiratory and heart rate determined before music intervention. The intervention group listened to non-speech music for 20 minutes in a quiet environment. The anxiety level and physiological responses were measured again after the intervention. The same measurements were carried out for the control group without music intervention.

Results: The results showed a statistical significant differences in the anxiety level as well as the systolic blood pressure in the intervention group )P=0.04). There was no significant difference in heart and respiratory rate between the two groups (P=0.2, P=0.11).

Conclusion: Considering the alterations in physiological responses during listening to music, we suggest music listening to be considered as an intervention to relieve preoperative anxiety and fear.