Effect of Music Therapy in Patients Undergoing Surgery Under General Anaesthesia: A Randomised Controlled Study

Introduction: Surgical procedures are uncomfortable, stressful, and cause anxiety in patients. Preoperative anxiety affects haemodynamic parameters, reduces pain tolerance, and delays postoperative recovery. Music therapy is a non-pharmacologic, cost-effective intervention that can alleviate anxiety and improve patient satisfaction. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effects of music therapy in patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: This randomised controlled study included 60 patients aged >18 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia, who were randomly allocated to Group M (music) or Group C (control), 30 in each group. In Group M, soothing (raga) music was played from 20 minutes preoperatively until the end of surgery. In Group C, no music was played. Both groups were analysed for the primary outcome (intensity of pain) and secondary outcomes {haemodynamic parameters, Bispectral Index (BIS) value, patient satisfaction, quality of recovery, and Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)}. The Student’s t-test was used to compare continuous variables and the Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No statistically significant difference was found in demographic data between the two groups. Intraoperative Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP) was significantly different postintubation for up to 60 minutes. BIS values were comparable and not significantly different. In Group M, the mean Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score at the 6th postoperative hour was lower than in Group C (2.24±0.43 vs. 3.90±1.01). The patient satisfaction score (Likert scale) was higher in Group M (3.13±0.34) than in Group C (3.00±0.00). Quality of recovery (Riker Scale) was 3.82±0.38 in Group M vs 4.56±0.67 in Group C, with a statistically significant difference. Regarding PONV, Group M scored better than Group C (0.21±0.41 vs 0.83±0.69; p<0.001). Conclusion: Music interventions significantly reduce pain and PONV in surgical patients and improve overall patient satisfaction and quality of recovery.