Experience lesser pain post surgery by listening to music
Posted on: 14/Aug/2015 6:15:44 PM
According to a recent review that is derived out of available evidences by scientists, listening to music before, during and after surgery will reduce the pain, anxiety and need for the use of painkillers.
The study was conducted by Queen Mary University of London. The impact of listening to music during postoperative recovery time was analyzed in 73 randomized control trials. This was compared with that of standard care or non-medical interventions like massaging.
This systematic study involved analyzing 7000 patients on the whole. This study is first of its kind in studying the link between music in operating theatres and reduction in anxiety or pain post operation and the need for relief medication to subside postoperative pain.
Adult patients undergoing different surgical procedures with or without anesthesia were analyzed by the researchers. The exclusion for this study was the surgery made on central nervous system, head and neck due to potential hearing impairment.
The choice of music, timing and the total duration of it varied and this showed variations in the outcome as well. The music was effective when the patient was given general anesthetic, says results published in The Lancet.
Dr Catherine Meads who was the lead for the study at Queen Mary University of London said music is not routinely used in surgeries in helping the patients bear with postoperative recovery.
He added that this study is promising to take away all misconceptions and impact of music. This study is now getting followed by a pilot scheme by introducing music into the operative settings at The Royal London Hospital. These two areas are the where Caesarean sections is done and for women with hysteroscopy.
Patients can submit a music playlist as per their choice and it will then be connected to a pillow that has inbuilt loudspeakers. The effectiveness of this method will then be studied upon putting it in practice. This will provide a deepened understanding of why there are studies that claim listening to music may be difficult to put into practice.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing that was conducted by Imperial College London, playing music at the time of surgery may put the surgeons in difficulty and make communication difficult and raise tension between staff members and doctors which will put patients` life at risk.
