Surgery is a stressful experience, whether it’s a minor out-patient procedure or a more serious operation requiring a lengthy hospital stay. Anxiety, stress, and worry can all take a toll on the body, increasing stress hormones and slowing down the recovery process. However, recent research suggests that listening to music can have a positive effect on pre-operative anxiety and post-operative pain relief.
Healing Power of Music
Music has always played a significant role in ceremonies, trance, rituals, and healing. It is a key feature in various events such as sports games, weddings, celebrations, and funerals. Yet, one place where music is largely absent is the surgical center. But could this change given the new research on the subject?
Music and Surgery
A study conducted at Queen Mary University of London found that patients who listened to music were less anxious after surgery and required less pain relief. The research, published in the Lancet, included randomized controlled trials involving adult patients undergoing surgical procedures—excluding those procedures involving the central nervous system, head, or neck. The researchers compared the impact on patients who listened to music before, during, and after surgery against standard care situations and other non-drug interventions.
Musical Outcomes
While playing music didn’t affect the length of hospital stays, it did significantly reduce patients’ pain, anxiety, and need for pain relief, ultimately increasing their overall satisfaction. Surprisingly, the choice of music and timing of delivery had little influence on the outcomes. As a result, researchers suggest that music could be used as a method to help patients reduce pain and anxiety during post-operative recovery.
A Different Tune for Surgeons
While music in the operating room has clear benefits for patients, the same cannot be said for surgeons and nurses. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing investigated the impact of playing music on communication in the operating theater. It appears that the volume of music played during surgeries often exceeds the safe levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Operating staff found that while music was playing, they had to repeat themselves multiple times in order to be heard. This was particularly problematic when requesting surgical instruments, for which timing is often crucial. As a result, researchers concluded that music in the operating theater could interfere with team communication, posing a potential safety hazard.
Striking a Balance
Herein lies a challenge: the positive effects of music on patients undergoing surgery versus the potential negative impact on the surgical staff. The Royal College of Surgeons told the BBC that if music is played during surgery, it “must not be distracting.” At present, it is the surgeons who decide whether or not music is played during a surgery. However, this could change, with patients and surgeons discussing options together. One possibility is that patients could listen to music through headphones before, during, and after surgery. This would allow surgical staff to control the music level during the operation, or choose not to play music at all.
It is vital to consider as many safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive methods as possible to help patients feel better. This includes reducing stress, fear, and anxiety before surgical procedures, as well as during recovery. Music has the potential to play a significant role in fulfilling this need. If discussions about using music during surgery become more commonplace, it could become a standard option outlined in pre-surgical materials provided to patients.
