The Effect of Music on Reducing Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Anxiety and Pain in the Recovery Room

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of music on reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative anxiety and pain in the recovery room. Sicty men and women, ages 18-70 years, admitted in a regional medical center for elective orthopedic surgery served as subjects for this study. Subjects were assigned to the experimental or control group on the basis of sex, age, inpatient- outpatient status, and major as opposed to minor surgery. Subjects in the experimental or music group listened to music preoperatively and postoperatively in the recovery room. Subjects in the control did not receive music. Data were collected and six null hypotheses tested. Statistical analysis revealed that, in comparison to the control group, the music group was significantly less anxious preoperatively, made fewer pain and anxiety verbalizations, was behaviorally less anxious and used less pain and nausea medication in the recovery room. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the length of time spent in the recovery or in the stabilization time. Results of this study indicate that music is effective in reducing preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and anxiety in the recovery room. Further research is recommended.

Note: preoperative-anxiety, postoperative-anxiety, postoperative-pain, recovery-room.

Keyword(s): music, pain, anxiety, anxiety-reduction, surgery, recovery.

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