HARMONIZING HEALING: EXPLORING THE THERAPEUTIC INFLUENCE OF MUSIC ON PREOPERATIVE AND INTRAOPERATIVE ANXIETY AND VITAL SIGNS IN SPINAL ANAESTHESIA

Abstract

Introduction: Preoperative anxiety is common and can elevate stress responses, increasing  anesthetic needs and delaying recovery. While anxiolytics are used, they have side effects. Music therapy, a nonpharmacological approach, may help reduce anxiety by influencing brain pathways related to emotion. This study evaluates its effectiveness in surgical patients.

Material and Methods: This randomized controlled trial evaluates the impact of music therapy on preoperative and intraoperative anxiety in patients undergoing elective surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. Conducted at GMERS Medical College, Junagadh, 46 patients were assigned to music therapy (MT) and non-music therapy (NMT) groups. Anxiety levels and vital signs were measured at baseline, after 30 minutes, and after 60 minutes. The study aims to assess music's effectiveness as a nonpharmacological anxiolytic.

Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the Music Therapy (MT) and Non-Music Therapy (NMT) groups in terms of demographic characteristics or most vital parameters. However, at 30 and 60 minutes, the MT group showed significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as heart rate, compared to the NMT group. Additionally, the MT group demonstrated significantly reduced anxiety levels at both T30 and T60, highlighting the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety and improving physiological outcomes in preoperative and intraoperative patients.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that music therapy effectively reduces preoperative and intraoperative anxiety, improves vital signs, and creates a more relaxed surgical environment. Its low cost, non-invasive nature, and no side effects make it a promising alternative to medication. Further research is needed to optimize its use across clinical settings.