Patients undergoing surgery could benefit from a surprisingly simple and drug-free aid: calming music. A groundbreaking new study has found that listening to instrumental music during an operation can significantly reduce the amount of anaesthetic required and lead to a smoother recovery.
A Soothing Soundtrack for the Operating Theatre
The research was conducted at Lok Nayak Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College in India. Between March 2023 and January 2024, the study observed 56 patients who were having laparoscopic surgery to remove their gallbladder.
Patients were divided into groups, with one group listening to calming, instrumental music through headphones while under anaesthesia. The results were striking. The patients in the music group needed a substantially lower dose of propofol, the primary intravenous anaesthetic used during procedures.
Reduced Drugs and Lower Stress
The benefits of the musical intervention extended beyond the main anaesthetic. These patients also required fewer additional doses of fentanyl, a powerful opioid painkiller often administered during surgery.
To measure physiological stress, researchers analysed levels of the hormone cortisol in the patients' blood. They discovered that serum cortisol levels were markedly lower in the patients who had been exposed to music, indicating their bodies were under less stress throughout the operation.
Smoother Wake-Up and Better Outcomes
A notable difference was also seen as patients woke up from anaesthesia. Those who had listened to music emerged from sedation more smoothly and comfortably compared to the control group.
The study, led by researchers including Shweta Sharma, concluded that receptive music therapy is a safe and effective non-pharmacological aid. It successfully reduces the need for intraoperative anaesthetics and improves the overall patient experience and outcome, offering a low-cost way to enhance surgical care.
