Older Patients’ Perspectives on Music Intervention to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety in Cardiac Surgical Procedures: Findings from A Clinical Trial

Objective: To explore older patients’ perspectives on the acceptability and feasibility of a music intervention to reduce preoperative anxiety (PA) before cardiac surgery or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Methods: A monocentric, single-arm study was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024, involving patients aged 60 years or older undergoing cardiac surgery or TAVI. Each participant received a 20–30-minute music intervention session on the day before and the day of surgery. Music playlist was tailored to each patient’s preferred genres and specific music selections. Primary outcomes were patients’ acceptability and feasibility, evaluated through the consent rate, compliance rate and a postoperative interview. PA was measured using validated instruments. Results: Of 134 patients approached, 78 (58.2%) consented. Recruitment and follow-up were completed as planned. Music intervention was delivered to 71 patients, with 7 unable to participate for practical reasons. Compliance rates were 98.6% for the first session ( n = 70) and 87.3% for the second session ( n = 62). Interviews from 63 patients revealed high satisfaction, with 62 (98.4%) satisfied with the intervention, 57 (90.5%) interested in future music interventions, 58 (92.1%) liking the music, and 61 (96.8%) willing to recommend it to others. Approximately half of the participants (47.6%–66.7%) endorsed the key components of music intervention. Significant reductions in instrument-measured PA were observed after the first session, with 84.5% feeling relaxed immediately afterwards. Although reductions were not statistically significant after the second session, 91.1% felt relaxed immediately afterwards. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Music intervention is acceptable and feasible from the perspective of older patients undergoing cardiac surgery or TAVI. The observed immediate effect on PA should be considered as exploratory given the absence of a comparison group.