Effects of Music on Patient Anxiety

Abstract

Undergoing surgery with local anesthesia is stressful because patients often are aware of their surroundings. This study investigated music as a method of reducing patients' anxiety during minor surgery with local anesthesia. For this study, researchers assessed the effectiveness of music as a relaxation modality by measuring patients' vital signs and self-reported anxiety before and after surgery. Study results indicate that patients who listened to their choice of music during surgery experienced significantly lower anxiety levels, heart rates, and blood pressure than patients who did not listen to music.