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

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to examine if patients have a lower anxiety level during wide awake hand surgery while listening to their choice of music vs standardized relaxation music. Patients who are planning to undergo wide awake (local anesthetic only hand surgery) and agree to participate will be randomized to either a music intervention where they listen to their choice of music genre or standardized relaxation music during their time in the operating room. 170 participants will be enrolled and can expect to be on study for 2 weeks.

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 data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for reducing 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 safe option that can decrease anxiety in about half of the cases reviewed, making it a promising treatment for surgical anxiety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is music therapy safe for reducing surgical anxiety?

Music therapy is considered a safe and non-invasive way to help reduce anxiety and pain during surgery, with no significant adverse effects reported in studies. ^{4 5 6 7 8}

How does music therapy differ from other treatments for surgical anxiety?

Music therapy is unique because it uses music listening to reduce anxiety without medication, making it a non-drug option. It often involves listening to researcher-selected music with specific characteristics like consistent tempo and smooth melodies, which can help calm patients before, during, and after surgery. ^{4 5 7 9 10}

Research Team

Lisa Kruse, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Eligibility Criteria

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bach to the Basics: Implementation and Impact of a Postoperative, Inpatient Personalized Music Program for Older Adults. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

3. United States 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. [2022]

4. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The benefits of perioperative music interventions for patients undergoing neurosurgery: a mixed-methods systematic review. [2022]

6. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of Music in a Plastic Surgery Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using music interventions in perioperative care. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of music in colorectal perioperative standard care-barriers and facilitators among patients and healthcare professionals. [2022]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Music Intervention on Lung Expansion Exercises after Cardiothoracic Surgery. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Music therapy and psychological-clinical impact in surgery: a systematic review. [2022]