Undergoing surgery can be a stressful and, at times, painful experience for many patients. However, listening to music may provide some relief, as recent research shows that patients who listen to music experience lower levels of pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate than those who do not. By understanding the benefits of listening to music in a surgical setting, healthcare providers can introduce simple, cost-effective ways to improve patient wellbeing and potentially speed up recovery times.
The Healing Power of Music
In a study published in the Annals of Surgery scientific journal, researchers from the University of Zurich in Switzerland conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 different studies spanning 15 years. Thirty-one percent of people reported experiencing less pain while listening to music, 29 percent had lower odds of using pain killers, and 34 percent reported less anxiety. Furthermore, listening to music was associated with a 40 percent reduction in blood pressure and a 27 percent decline in heart rate.
The benefits for pain and anxiety increased significantly when patients were allowed to choose their own music playlists. As lead study author Dr. Diana Vetter explained, “informing our patients before scheduled surgeries of the positive effect of music on their wellbeing could be a low cost intervention that may enhance wellbeing and possibly faster recover[y].”
Other researchers agree that there is now enough evidence to support including music interventions in clinical guidelines. For example, Marianne van der Heijden from Rotterdam’s Erasmus Medical Center – Sophia Children’s Hospital has argued that formal guidelines should now be adapted.
Music for Emotional Regulation
Another study conducted by the University of Queensland in Australia revealed the positive impact of “extreme music” on listeners. The research, which included genres such as heavy metal, emo, hardcore, punk, and screamo, found that music did not cause anger, but may actually help with emotional processing.
The study, which was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, included 39 participants aged between 18 and 34 who regularly listened to extreme music. The impact of discussing topics that evoked anger or irritation was compared with the effects of listening to 10 minutes of preferred music followed by 10 minutes of silence.
The researchers concluded that metal music could relax participants as effectively as sitting in silence, stating that the music enhanced positive emotions and helped regulate sadness. The music also enabled the participants to match their emotional state when they were experiencing anger.
Harnessing Music as Medicine
It is clear that music has powerful healing properties, with a particular ability to help people let go of daily stresses and release feelings by bringing them into the present moment. By integrating music interventions into healthcare settings, providers can tap into an affordable and effective way to improve patient wellbeing.
To encourage surgery patients to listen to music, healthcare providers may consider providing advice on the types of calming music that work best for individual patients or offering playlists that can be tailored to suit specific preferences. The simple act of listening to music can transform a stressful experience such as surgery into a more positive encounter, promoting relaxation and emotional wellbeing during an essential phase of the healing process.
