Music Therapy for Surgical Anxiety

Overseen By Katie Schjei

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English, Hearing impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

170 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether listening to music can reduce anxiety during hand surgery with local anesthesia. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will choose their own music, while the other will listen to relaxation music provided by the study. The goal is to determine which type of music, if any, reduces anxiety during surgery. Ideal participants are adults planning hand surgery with local anesthesia who can communicate in English. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance patient comfort during surgeries.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that music interventions are safe for surgical anxiety?

Research has shown that music therapy safely and effectively reduces anxiety in surgical patients. Studies have found that listening to music before, during, or after surgery significantly lowers anxiety levels without harmful side effects.

For those who choose standardized relaxation music, research suggests it helps manage stress and reduce anxiety during surgery. One study found that calming music made patients feel more relaxed and satisfied.

Patients who prefer their own music experience similar effects. Listening to music they enjoy also helps reduce anxiety and improve their overall experience.

Overall, music therapy is a non-invasive, low-risk treatment that patients generally tolerate well. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about music interventions for surgical anxiety because they offer a non-pharmacological approach that can be both calming and personalized. Traditional treatments for surgical anxiety often involve medications like benzodiazepines, which can have side effects and may require time to take effect. In contrast, music therapy provides immediate relaxation without the risk of medication-related side effects. The study explores two different approaches: standardized relaxation music and personal choice of music. Standardized relaxation music uses carefully curated tracks to promote calmness, while allowing patients to choose their own music can enhance their comfort and engagement, potentially improving their overall surgical experience.

What evidence suggests that music interventions could be effective for reducing surgical anxiety?

Research shows that listening to music can help reduce anxiety for people undergoing surgery. In this trial, participants will experience different music interventions. One group will listen to standardized relaxation music, while another will choose their own music. Studies have found that calming music can lower anxiety levels in patients before operations. This method eases both mental stress and physical signs of anxiety. Additionally, music therapy is affordable and has no side effects, making it a popular way to manage pre-surgery anxiety. These findings suggest that using music during surgery could help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lisa Kruse, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who are having wide-awake hand surgery with local anesthesia. Participants must be able to consent and understand English, without significant hearing issues that can't be fixed with devices.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an adult scheduled for hand surgery with local anesthesia and no tourniquet.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients unwilling to consent

I am under 18 years old.

Patients with significant hearing impairment not able to be corrected with assistive devices

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo wide awake hand surgery with either their choice of music or standardized relaxation music

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for anxiety levels post-surgery using VAS-A and STAI scores

2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Music Interventions

Trial Overview The study compares the effects of listening to personal music choices versus standardized relaxation music on patient anxiety during hand surgery. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of these two music interventions in the operating room.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standardized Relaxation Music Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Personal Choice of Music Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,249

Recruited

3,255,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A personalized music program implemented for older adults after elective surgeries showed positive outcomes, including improved mood, better pain control, and lower rates of delirium.

The program was integrated into an existing perioperative care framework and demonstrated that rapid cycle improvement can effectively monitor quality measures, making it a cost-effective and patient-centered intervention that can be replicated in various hospital settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bach to the Basics: Implementation and Impact of a Postoperative, Inpatient Personalized Music Program for Older Adults. Sharda, N., Mattoon, E., Matters, L., et al.[2020]

Music therapy has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety and stress in patients before and after surgery, based on a review of 34 studies from various scientific platforms.

As a nonpharmacological treatment, music therapy has no side effects, making it a safe option for improving patients' psychophysical conditions in hospital settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy and psychological-clinical impact in surgery: a systematic review. Caponnetto, P., LaMattina, G., Quattropani, MC.[2022]

A systematic review of seven studies involving 8 to 60 participants each found that music interventions significantly reduced anxiety in four out of five studies and pain perception in three studies after neurosurgery, indicating its potential as a safe and effective perioperative management tool.

The review highlights the importance of considering both quantitative and qualitative evidence to understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of music interventions in neurosurgical settings, despite the moderate to high risk of bias in the included studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The benefits of perioperative music interventions for patients undergoing neurosurgery: a mixed-methods systematic review. Ng Kee Kwong, KC., Kang, CX., Kaliaperumal, C.[2022]

A systematic review of 42 randomized controlled trials found that music interventions can significantly reduce anxiety and pain in perioperative patients, with positive effects observed in about half of the studies.

Given the low cost and potential benefits of music therapy, further research is encouraged to better understand its mechanisms and enhance patient care in surgical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The anxiety- and pain-reducing effects of music interventions: a systematic review. Nilsson, U.[2022]

A study involving 50 patients and 69 healthcare professionals found that implementing music intervention in colorectal surgery can significantly reduce preoperative and postoperative anxiety, with median anxiety scores decreasing from 4.5 to 3.0 after surgery.

The research identified that both patients and healthcare professionals generally supported the implementation of music in perioperative care, indicating a high likelihood of successful integration into standard practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of music in colorectal perioperative standard care-barriers and facilitators among patients and healthcare professionals. Kakar, E., van Ruler, O., van Straten, B., et al.[2022]

Music interventions can effectively reduce anxiety and pain during surgical treatment, with most studies focusing on postoperative pain relief and preoperative anxiety reduction.

Research indicates that carefully selected music, characterized by consistent tempo and smooth melodies, is particularly effective in alleviating anxiety, and music therapists can assist in optimizing these interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using music interventions in perioperative care. Gooding, L., Swezey, S., Zwischenberger, JB.[2022]

In a study of 207 women undergoing breast cancer surgery, both live and recorded music therapy significantly reduced preoperative anxiety compared to usual care, indicating its effectiveness in managing anxiety during the surgical process.

While music therapy did not affect anesthesia requirements or overall recovery time compared to usual care, the group receiving live music experienced a shorter recovery time than those with recorded music, suggesting potential benefits in recovery efficiency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Music Therapy on Anesthesia Requirements and Anxiety in Women Undergoing Ambulatory Breast Surgery for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Palmer, JB., Lane, D., Mayo, D., et al.[2022]

Music significantly reduces anxiety levels in patients undergoing plastic surgery, with a standardized mean difference of -3.64, indicating a strong effect compared to no music intervention.

While music did not show a statistically significant effect on pain reduction (mean difference of -12.06), it remains a safe and cost-effective option for enhancing patient comfort during surgery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of Music in a Plastic Surgery Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Zapata-Copete, JA., Cordoba-Wagner, MJ., García-Perdomo, HA.[2023]

Music can be an effective therapeutic intervention for managing anxiety and pain during procedural or operative interventions, as supported by a systematic review conducted by The Joanna Briggs Institute.

The Best Practice Information Sheet recommends using music before, during, and after procedures to enhance patient comfort, highlighting its potential benefits in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Joanna Briggs Institute Best Practice Information Sheet: music as an intervention in hospitals. [2022]

In a study involving 18 patients (9 in the music group and 9 in the control group) after cardiothoracic surgery, music intervention significantly improved respiratory function, as indicated by higher maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP).

The music group also showed better oxygen saturation (SpO2) and reduced pain levels compared to the control group, suggesting that music can positively affect physiological recovery and help alleviate anxiety and pain in postoperative patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Music Intervention on Lung Expansion Exercises after Cardiothoracic Surgery. Chen, GY., Guo, LY., Chuang, IC., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12366122/

Music intervention as a strategy to reduce preoperative anxiety Our objective was to conduct an umbrella review of systematic reviews studying the efficacy of music intervention in reducing preoperative ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-16413-7

Effect of music intervention on preoperative anxiety, a ... This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-session music intervention compared with standard care in reducing preoperative anxiety ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537025002251

Music therapy for the treatment of anxiety: a systematic ... The primary measure was the effects of music therapy on 7 psychological anxiety outcomes and physiological outcomes. The secondary measures were outcome, study, ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6175460/

Meta‐analysis evaluating music interventions for anxiety and ... This study aimed to evaluate anxiety and pain following perioperative music interventions compared with control conditions in adult patients.

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-anxiety-8-2022-5a24c

Music Therapy for Surgical Anxiety Research shows that music interventions can help reduce anxiety and pain in patients undergoing surgery. Studies have found that music therapy is a low-cost and ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229925000706

Music interventions in patients undergoing surgery Music interventions pre-, during or post-surgery were associated with a significant decrease in pain, anxiety and a higher patient satisfaction.

7. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e48802

Technology-Based Music Interventions to Reduce Anxiety and ... Technology-based music interventions could help reduce anxiety and pain among patients undergoing surgery or procedures.

8. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/nohe/fulltext/2024/26210/effects_of_soothing_music_on_the_intraoperative.21.aspx

Effects of Soothing Music on the Intraoperative ... (1) Soothing music therapy can stabilize the stress state of patients. · (2) Soothing music therapy can improve patients' anxiety. · (3) Soothing music therapy ...