Key Takeaways
- Patients listening to calming music during surgery needed significantly less anaesthetic
- Music therapy reduced surgical stress markers and improved recovery quality
- Study conducted on 56 patients undergoing gallbladder removal surgery
Playing calming instrumental music during surgery can substantially reduce the need for anaesthetic drugs and help patients recover faster, according to new research from Indian medical institutions.
A peer-reviewed study conducted at Lok Nayak Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College found that music therapy during operations decreases anaesthetic requirements while improving patient outcomes.
Study Design and Methodology
The research, published in Music and Medicine journal, analyzed 56 patients aged 18-65 undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) between March 2023 and January 2024. All patients received the same anaesthetic protocol but were divided into two groups – one listening to music through noise-cancelling headphones, and a control group without music.
Patients could choose between two Indian instrumental pieces, with many selecting a flute composition blending Hindustani ragas Yaman and Kirwani, chosen for their calming and uplifting qualities.
Significant Reduction in Anaesthetic Requirements
The music group demonstrated remarkable results:
- Propofol reduction: Required only 6.7mg/kg/hour compared to 7.86mg/kg/hour in control group
- Fewer painkiller doses: Needed less additional fentanyl during surgery
- Lower stress markers: Postoperative cortisol levels averaged 417 IU/ml versus 536 IU/ml in controls
Improved Recovery Experience
Patients exposed to music therapy woke up more smoothly from anaesthesia and reported higher satisfaction levels 24 hours after surgery. The physiological stress response to surgery, measured through serum cortisol, was markedly lower in the music group.
The study concluded that “receptive music therapy may be used as a safe and effective non-pharmacological aid to reduce intraoperative anaesthetic requirements and improve overall patient outcome with no adverse effects”.
Music therapy has longstanding applications in healthcare, particularly in , mental health, palliative care, and postoperative recovery settings to reduce stress, anxiety and pain.
