The effects of music therapy on anxiety, sedation, and stress responses of patients undergoing surgery with spinal anesthesia

This study was conducted to examine the effects of music therapy on anxiety, sedation, and stress responses of patients during surgery with spinal anesthesia. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group pre-post test was used. There were 55 adults over 19 years of age scheduled for a lower leg surgery with spinal anesthesia: 27 in the treatment group and 28 in the comparison group. Each subject in the treatment group identified their music preference which was used during the period of surgery which usually lasted, 61 minutes. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test and repeated measured ANOVA. Results: There were significant reported differences in levels of anxiety, sedation, and stress responses which were measured by plasma cortisol levels, heart rate, and respiratory rate. The findings of all the variables were effectively decreased among those in the treatment group than the comparison group. Conclusion: The preference based music therapy may be useful as a non-pharmacological intervention.