02: The effect of music listening on preoperative anxiety in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Preoperative anxiety has been associated with increased postoperative pain and lower patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of listening to music just prior to surgery on preoperative anxiety compared to usual care in patients undergoing reconstructive pelvic surgery. Patients scheduled for reconstructive pelvic surgery at our tertiary care center were enrolled on the day of their surgery approximately 45 minutes prior to the anticipated surgery start time. Following consent, all participants completed the Spielberg State Trait Anxiety Inventory Y1 (STAI-Y1) to measure baseline state anxiety levels prior to surgery. Demographic information, past surgical history, and a questionnaire regarding musical background and preferences were collected. Participants were then randomized to either the usual care (control group) or listening to music on headphones (music intervention group). Those in the music group could choose between several genres of prerecorded music. After 30 minutes, the STAI-Y1 questionnaire was re-administered. The primary outcome was the change in anxiety score as measured by the STAI-Y1. Descriptive statistics, T-tests, and Fisher's Exact Test were used to analyze the data. Sixty-six women completed the study; 34 participants in the control group and 32 participants in the music group. Racial/ethnic distribution, age, prior history of surgery, and music background and preferences were similar amongst those in the control group and the music group. Surgical indications included one or more of the following diagnosis: pelvic organ prolapse (44%), stress urinary incontinence (34%), urge urinary incontinence (6%), mesh exposure (5%), vaginal mass/diverticula (5%), genitourinary fistula (4%), and sling revision (2%). Participants reported that they found classical music (26%), soft rock (26%), country (17%), jazz (11%), and gospel music (10%) most relaxing. Baseline STAI-Y1 scores on the day of surgery were similar between the two groups (37.29 ± 11.57 in control group vs. 37.25 ± 9.02 in music group). STAI-Y1 scores significantly improved in the music group after 30 minutes of music listening compared to the control group (-6.81 vs. -1.59, P = 0.006). Patients undergoing reconstructive pelvic surgery present with moderate anxiety on the day of surgery. Allowing patients to listen to their preferred music is a simple intervention that may lower preoperative anxiety in this patient population.