Is There a Role for Music Intervention in Reducing Anxiety and Pain in Males During Outpatient Flexible Cystoscopy? A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: To prospectively verify whether music intervention reduces the anxiety and pain in male patients undergoing outpatient flexible cystoscopy in a randomized control trial. Methods: A total of 100 male patients undergoing outpatient flexible cystoscopy from May to November 2023 were randomly assigned to the music intervention group or control group. Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess the anxiety. The primary outcome was difference in the change of STAI-S level before and after the flexible cystoscopy between the groups. The secondary outcomes were pain and satisfaction measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, physiological change was assessed between the groups. Results: A total of 93 patients (48 in the music group and 45 in the control group) were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. The median change of STAI-S in the music group was significantly greater than that in the control group (!5 vs !2, P = .03). The music group showed significantly lower pain and higher satisfaction on VAS after cystoscopy compared with the control group. By contrast, the change of physiological parameters was comparable between the groups. Conclusion: Music intervention may be useful to reduce both pain and anxiety associated with outpatient flexible cystoscopy in male patients.