Listening to Music During Anesthesia Does Not Reduce the Sevoflurane Concentration Needed to Maintain a Constant Bispectral Index

Does selective intraoperative music reduce pain following abdominal wall reconstruction? A double-blind randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Although intraoperative music is purported to mitigate postoperative pain after some procedures, its application has never been explored in abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR). We sought to determine whether intraoperative music would decrease early postoperative pain following AWR.

METHODS

We conducted a placebo-controlled, patient-, surgeon-, and assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial at a single center between June 2022 and July 2023 including 321 adult patients undergoing open AWR with retromuscular mesh. Patients received noise-canceling headphones and were randomized 1:1 to patient-selected music or silence after induction, stratified by preoperative chronic opioid use. All patients received multimodal pain control. The primary outcome was pain (NRS-11) at 24 ± 3 h. The primary outcome was analyzed by linear regression with pre-specified covariates (chronic opioid use, hernia width, operative time, myofascial release, anxiety disorder diagnosis, and preoperative STAI-6 score).

RESULTS

178 patients were randomized to music, 164 of which were analyzed. 177 were randomized to silence, 157 of which were analyzed. At 24 ± 3 h postoperatively, there was no difference in the primary outcome of NRS-11 scores (5.18 ± 2.62 vs 5.27 ± 2.46, p = 0.75). After adjusting for prespecified covariates, the difference of NRS-11 scores at 24 ± 3 h between the music and silence groups remained insignificant (p = 0.83). There was no difference in NRS-11 or STAI-6 scores at 48 ± 3 and 72 ± 3 h, intraoperative sedation, or postoperative narcotic usage.

CONCLUSION

For patients undergoing AWR, there was no benefit of intraoperative music over routine multimodal pain control for early postoperative pain reduction.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05374096.

Effect of classical music on light-plane anaesthesia and analgesia in dogs subjected to surgical nociceptive stimuli

The objectives of this prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover, experimental study were to detect the potential anaesthetic- and analgesic-sparing effects of classical music provided to dogs undergoing skin surgery, and to investigate the role of substance P as an intraoperative pain indicator. Twenty dogs were included, each subjected to three different treatments: Chopin music, Mozart music and no music. They were premedicated with acepromazine, butorphanol and meloxicam and anaesthetized with propofol and isoflurane. Fentanyl was used as rescue analgesia. The anaesthetic depth was monitored by using the bispectral index along with standard anaesthetic monitoring, and autonomic nervous system responses were used to monitor the adequacy of analgesia. Furthermore, measurements of substance P serum concentration were carried out. Dogs exposed to music required less isoflurane and fentanyl. Furthermore, a statistically significant effect of time on substance P concentration was observed regardless of exposure to music, and there was a significant interaction effect between different timepoints and the type of acoustic stimulus. Classical music seems to have an isoflurane and fentanyl sparing effect on dogs undergoing minor surgery. Following surgical stimulation, the serum substance P concentration increases rapidly, and thus appears to be a potentially useful pain indicator.

The effect of playing music and mother's voice to children on sedation level and requirement during pediatric magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging examinations frequently cause anxiety and fear in children. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to music sound, the mother's voice, and sound isolation on the depth of sedation and need for sedatives in pediatric patients who would undergo MRI.

METHODS

Ninety pediatric patients aged 3 to 12 years who were planned for imaging in the MRI unit were randomly assigned to isolation group (Group I), musical sound group (Group II), and mother's voice group (Group III). We evaluated patients' anxiety and sedation levels via the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) RESULTS: Heart rate, oxygen saturation, OAA/S, and Ramsey scores during the procedure were not significantly different among the groups (p>0.05). The mean amount of propofol and total propofol consumption was statistically lower in the mother's voice group than in the isolation and music sound groups (p<0.001). Mean propofol amount and total propofol consumption were not significantly different in isolation and music sound groups (p>0.05). No difference was found between the groups regarding the time it took for the patients' Modified Aldrete score to reach 9 (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In pediatric patients, listening to the mother's voice during MRI decreased the total sedative requirement consumed without increasing the depth of sedation.

Benefits of intraoperative music on orthopedic surgeries under spinal anesthesia: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether instrumental music influences the anxiety status and intraoperative sedative requirements of a patient DESIGN: A single center, prospective, randomized controlled trial SETTING: Patients between 18 and 65 years, physical status of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA I or II) who underwent lower limb orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were assigned to one of two groups: (1) Music Group: patients hearing instrumental music through a headset during the entire procedure or (2) No Music Group: patients wearing headphones without music MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Before and after the procedure, the anxiety status of the patient was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and intraoperative sedative drug consumption was quantified.

RESULTS

A total of 107 patients were analyzed. A significant reduction in anxiety in the Music Group patients after surgery (p = 0.023) was found. Patients in this group also required less additional medication for intraoperative sedation (p = 0.004), and 88.9% of Music Group patients self-reported that music helped them remain calm during the procedure. Most patients in both groups agreed that music should be used during surgical procedures (98.2% and 94.3% in Music and No Music Groups, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that listening to instrumental music during lower limb orthopedic surgery caused a reduction in anxiety and sedative requirements. Patients also self-reported a positive music-related experience.

Perception of auditory stimuli during general anesthesia and its effects on patient outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Interest in implicit memory formation and unconscious auditory stimulus perception during general anesthesia has resurfaced as perioperative music has been reported to produce beneficial effects. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating explicit and implicit memory formation during general anesthesia and its effects on postoperative patient outcomes and recovery.

SOURCE

We performed a systematic literature search of Embase, Ovid Medline, and Cochrane Central from inception date until 15 October 2020. Eligible for inclusion were RCTs investigating intraoperative auditory stimulation in adult surgical patients under general anesthesia in which patients, healthcare staff, and outcome assessors were all blinded. We used random effects models for meta-analyses. This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020178087).

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Fifty-three (4,200 patients) of 5,859 identified articles were included. There was evidence of implicit memory formation in seven out of 17 studies (41%) when assessed using perceptual priming tasks. Mixed results were observed on postoperative behavioural and motor response after intraoperative suggestions. Intraoperative music significantly reduced postoperative pain (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.1 to -0.57; P < 0.001; I2 = 0; n = 226) and opioid requirements (SMD, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.57 to -0.015; P = 0.039; I2 = 36; n = 336), while positive therapeutic suggestions did not.

CONCLUSION

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that intraoperative auditory stimuli can be perceived and processed during clinically adequate, general anesthesia irrespective of surgical procedure severity, leading to implicit memory formation without explicit awareness. Intraoperative music can exert significant beneficial effects on postoperative pain and opioid requirements. Whether the employed intraoperative anesthesia regimen is of influence is not yet clear.

The Effect of Perioperative Music on Medication Requirement and Hospital Length of Stay: A Meta-analysis

Objective:

To assess and quantify the effect of perioperative music on medication requirement, length of stay and costs in adult surgical patients.

Summary Background Data:

There is an increasing interest in nonpharmacological interventions to decrease opioid analgesics use, as they have significant adverse effects and opioid prescription rates have reached epidemic proportions. Previous studies have reported beneficial outcomes of perioperative music.

Methods:

A systematic literature search of 8 databases was performed from inception date to January 7, 2019. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of perioperative music on medication requirement, length of stay or costs in adult surgical patients were eligible. Meta-analysis was performed using random effect models, pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018093140) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines.

Results:

The literature search yielded 2414 articles, 55 studies (N = 4968 patients) were included. Perioperative music significantly reduced postoperative opioid requirement (pooled SMD −0.31 [95% CI −0.45 to −0.16], P < 0.001, I² = 44.3, N = 1398). Perioperative music also significantly reduced intraoperative propofol (pooled SMD −0.72 [95% CI −1.01 to −0.43], P < 0.00001, I² = 61.1, N = 554) and midazolam requirement (pooled SMD −1.07 [95% CI −1.70 to −0.44], P < 0.001, I² = 73.1, N = 184), while achieving the same sedation level. No significant reduction in length of stay (pooled SMD −0.18 [95% CI −0.43 to 0.067], P = 0.15, I² = 56.0, N = 600) was observed.

Conclusions:

Perioperative music can reduce opioid and sedative medication requirement, potentially improving patient outcome and reducing medical costs as higher opioid dosage is associated with an increased risk of adverse events and chronic opioid abuse.

Meta-analysis evaluating music interventions for anxiety and pain in surgery

BACKGROUND

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

METHODS

Eleven electronic databases were searched for full-text publications of RCTs investigating the effect of music interventions on anxiety and pain during invasive surgery published between 1 January 1980 and 20 October 2016. Results and data were double-screened and extracted independently. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate effect sizes as standardized mean differences (MDs). Heterogeneity was investigated in subgroup analyses and metaregression analyses. The review was registered in the PROSPERO database as CRD42016024921.

RESULTS

Ninety-two RCTs (7385 patients) were included in the systematic review, of which 81 were included in the meta-analysis. Music interventions significantly decreased anxiety (MD -0·69, 95 per cent c.i. -0·88 to -0·50; P < 0·001) and pain (MD -0·50, -0·66 to -0·34; P < 0·001) compared with controls, equivalent to a decrease of 21 mm for anxiety and 10 mm for pain on a 100-mm visual analogue scale. Changes in outcome corrected for baseline were even larger: MD -1·41 (-1·89 to -0·94; P < 0·001) for anxiety and -0·54 (-0·93 to -0·15; P = 0·006) for pain. Music interventions provided during general anaesthesia significantly decreased pain compared with that in controls (MD -0·41, -0·64 to -0·18; P < 0·001). Metaregression analysis found no significant association between the effect of music interventions and age, sex, choice and timing of music, and type of anaesthesia. Risk of bias in the studies was moderate to high.

CONCLUSION

Music interventions significantly reduce anxiety and pain in adult surgical patients.

Does Listening to Music during Tonsillectomy Affect Sevoflurane Consumption?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of listening to music on the consumption of an anesthetic agent as well as postoperative recovery and pain in children undergoing elective tonsillectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients were randomized into those to whom music was played during surgery (group M) and a control group to whom music was not played (group C). The depth of anesthesia was provided by entropy levels of 50 ± 5 in both groups. Demographic characteristics and hemodynamic parameters were recorded perioperatively. The duration of surgery, sevoflurane consumption, eye opening time, and extubation time were also recorded. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Surgical pleth index values measured intraoperatively were statistically lower in group M than in group C. In the postanesthesia care unit children in the music group felt less pain than those in the control group according to the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (p = 0.035). The heart rates of the patients in the music group were statistically lower at 30 min intraoperatively and at the end of the procedure compared to the values of the control group (p = 0.015). The consumption of sevoflurane was lower in group M than in group C but the difference was not statistically significant. The need for additional fentanyl was significantly lower in group M than in group C.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the children exposed to music intraoperatively needed less analgesia during surgery, and reported less pain postoperatively, but there was no difference in sevoflurane requirements.

The Effects of Music on Pain: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous meta-analyses have been conducted on the topic of music and pain, with the latest comprehensive study published in 2006. Since that time, more than 70 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, necessitating a new and comprehensive review.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine published RCT studies investigating the effect of music on pain.

METHODS

The present study included RCTs published between 1995 and 2014. Studies were obtained by searching 12 databases and hand-searching related journals and reference lists. Main outcomes were pain intensity, emotional distress from pain, vital signs, and amount of analgesic intake. Study quality was evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines.

RESULTS

Analysis of the 97 included studies revealed that music interventions had statistically significant effects in decreasing pain on 0-10 pain scales (MD = -1.13), other pain scales (SMD = -0.39), emotional distress from pain (MD = -10.83), anesthetic use (SMD = -0.56), opioid intake (SMD = -0.24), non-opioid intake (SMD = -0.54), heart rate (MD = -4.25), systolic blood pressure (MD = -3.34), diastolic blood pressure (MD = -1.18), and respiration rate (MD = -1.46). Subgroup and moderator analyses yielded additional clinically informative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering all the possible benefits, music interventions may provide an effective complementary approach for the relief of acute, procedural, and cancer/chronic pain in the medical setting.

Effects of music on sedation depth and sedative use during pediatric dental procedures

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate the effects of listening to music or providing sound isolation on the depth of sedation and need for sedatives in pediatric dental patients.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

SETTING

Tertiary, university hospital.

PATIENTS

In total, 180 pediatric patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, who were scheduled for dental procedures of tooth extraction, filling, amputation, and root treatment.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were categorized into 3 groups: music, isolation, and control. During the procedures, the patients in the music group listened to Vivaldi's The Four Seasons violin concertos by sound-isolating headphones, whereas the patients in the isolation group wore the headphones but did not listen to music. All patients were sedated by 0.1 mg/kg midazolam and 1 mg/kg propofol. During the procedure, an additional 0.5 mg/kg propofol was administered as required.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Bispectral index was used for quantifying the depth of sedation, and total dosage of the propofol was used for sedative requirements. The patients' heart rates, oxygen saturations, and Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation Scale and bispectral index scores, which were monitored during the operation, were similar among the groups. In terms of the amount of propofol used, the groups were similar. Prolonged postoperative recovery cases were found to be significantly frequent in the control group, according to the recovery duration measurements (P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

Listening to music or providing sound isolation during pediatric dental interventions did not alter the sedation level, amount of medication, and hemodynamic variables significantly. This result might be due to the deep sedation levels reached during the procedures. However, listening to music and providing sound isolation might have contributed in shortening the postoperative recovery duration of the patients.

Effects of Art on Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of art including ambient features such as music, interior design including visual art, and architectural features on health outcomes in surgical patients.

BACKGROUND

Healing environments can have a positive influence on many patients, but data focusing on art in surgical patients remain scarce.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search following the PRISMA guidelines from January 2000 to October 2014 on art in surgical patients. For music interventions, we pooled controlled studies measuring health outcomes (eg, pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate) in a meta-analysis. For other art forms (ambient and architectural features and interior design), we did a narrative review, also including nonsurgical patients, and looked for examples covering 3 countries.

RESULTS

Our search identified 1101 hits with 48 studies focusing on art in surgical patients: 47 studies on musical intervention and 1 on sunlight. The meta-analysis of these studies disclosed significant effects for music on pain after surgery, anxiety, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate, when compared with control groups without music. Effects of music were larger with self-selected music, and lower in surgical interventions performed under general anesthesia. Interior design features such as nature images and more spacious rooms, and architectural features providing more sunlight had positive effects on anxiety and postoperative pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-selected music for surgical patients is an effective and low-cost intervention to enhance well being and possibly faster recovery. Although potentially very important, the impact of environmental features and spacious architecture with wide access to sunlight remains poorly explored in surgery. Further experimental research is needed to better assess the magnitude of the impact and cost effectiveness.

Music's use for anesthesia and analgesia

This review article provides an overview of published data regarding the involvement of music in anesthesia practice. Music is an important topic for research in different fields of anesthesiology. The use of music preoperatively is aimed at reducing anxiety, stress, and fear. However, the effect of music on perception of pain intraoperatively is controversial, according to studies of both adults and children undergoing various surgical procedures under general and/or regional anesthesia. In postoperative pain management, postanesthesia care, and neonatal intensive care, music can be a complementary method for reducing pain, anxiety, and stress. Music is a mild anxiolytic, but it is relatively ineffective when a pain stimulus is severe. However, music is inexpensive, easily administered, and free of adverse effects, and as such, can serve as complementary method for treating perioperative stress and for acute and chronic pain management, even though music's effectiveness depends on each individual patient's disposition and severity of pain stimulus.

Sensory environment on health-related outcomes of hospital patients

BACKGROUND

Hospital environments have recently received renewed interest, with considerable investments into building and renovating healthcare estates. Understanding the effectiveness of environmental interventions is important for resource utilisation and providing quality care.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of hospital environments on adult patient health-related outcomes.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (last searched January 2006); MEDLINE (1902 to December 2006); EMBASE (January 1980 to February 2006); 14 other databases covering health, psychology, and the built environment; reference lists; and organisation websites. This review is currently being updated (MEDLINE last search October 2010), see Studies awaiting classification.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, controlled before-and-after studies, and interrupted times series of environmental interventions in adult hospital patients reporting health-related outcomes.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently undertook data extraction and 'Risk of bias' assessment. We contacted authors to obtain missing information. For continuous variables, we calculated a mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each study. For dichotomous variables, we calculated a risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). When appropriate, we used a random-effects model of meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was explored qualitatively and quantitatively based on risk of bias, case mix, hospital visit characteristics, and country of study.

MAIN RESULTS

Overall, 102 studies have been included in this review. Interventions explored were: 'positive distracters', to include aromas (two studies), audiovisual distractions (five studies), decoration (one study), and music (85 studies); interventions to reduce environmental stressors through physical changes, to include air quality (three studies), bedroom type (one study), flooring (two studies), furniture and furnishings (one study), lighting (one study), and temperature (one study); and multifaceted interventions (two studies). We did not find any studies meeting the inclusion criteria to evaluate: art, access to nature for example, through hospital gardens, atriums, flowers, and plants, ceilings, interventions to reduce hospital noise, patient controls, technologies, way-finding aids, or the provision of windows. Overall, it appears that music may improve patient-reported outcomes such as anxiety; however, the benefit for physiological outcomes, and medication consumption has less support. There are few studies to support or refute the implementation of physical changes, and except for air quality, the included studies demonstrated that physical changes to the hospital environment at least did no harm.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Music may improve patient-reported outcomes in certain circumstances, so support for this relatively inexpensive intervention may be justified. For some environmental interventions, well designed research studies have yet to take place.

Effects of Music Listening on Cortisol Levels and Propofol Consumption during Spinal Anesthesia

Background: This study explores effects of instrumental music on the hormonal system (as indicated by serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone), the immune system (as indicated by immunoglobulin A) and sedative drug requirements during surgery (elective total hip joint replacement under spinal anesthesia with light sedation). This is the first study investigating this issue with a double-blind design using instrumental music. Methodology/Principal Findings: Patients (n = 40) were randomly assigned either to a music group (listening to instrumental music), or to a control group (listening to a non-musical placebo stimulus). Both groups listened to the auditory stimulus about 2 h before, and during the entire intra-operative period (during the intra-operative light sedation, subjects were able to respond lethargically to verbal commands). Results indicate that, during surgery, patients of the music group had a lower propofol consumption, and lower cortisol levels, compared to the control group. Conclusion/Significance: Our data show that listening to music during surgery under regional anesthesia has effects on cortisol levels (reflecting stress-reducing effects) and reduces sedative requirements to reach light sedation.

The Effect of Recorded Maternal Voice on Perioperative Anxiety and Emergence in Children

This study was performed to test if hearing a recorded maternal voice reduces anxiety, emergence agitation and anaesthetic requirements in children. With written informed consent, children scheduled for cardiac catheterisation under intravenous ketamine anaesthesia and their mothers (n=46) were randomly assigned to either the mother-voice (MV) or control group. While the MV group (n=23) listened via headphones to a recording of their mothers’ voices during the perioperative period, the control group (n=23) wore headphones with no auditory stimulation. Ketamine requirements and haemodynamics were recorded. Anxiety of the patients and the parents were measured before and after the procedure with the modified Yale preoperative anxiety scale and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Emergence agitation was graded. The demographic and haemodynamic data were comparable, except for a longer procedure time in the MV group. Mothers’ State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was not different preoperatively between the groups. Mothers’ state and trait anxiety was lower after the procedure in the MV group compared with the preoperative values. In the control group only maternal state anxiety was diminished after the procedure. There was no significant group difference with respect to ketamine requirement (5.1±1.9 mg vs 4.9±1.6 mg, P=0.645). The anxiety score of children was lower in the MV group before the procedure (modified Yale preoperative anxiety scale score 35±12 vs 28±9, P=0.038), but there was no significant difference postoperatively. Emergence agitation was attenuated in the MV group (P=0.005).