Effect of Music on State Anxiety Scores in Patients Undergoing Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

Abstract

To study the effect of music on state anxiety levels in patients undergoing flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB). Randomized clinical trial using pretests, posttests, and two groups. Pulmonary special-procedures unit of a tertiary-care referral center. Sixty adult patients: 30 patients received music during bronchoscopy and 30 control subjects received no music. The study population had baseline state anxiety levels similar to those previously reported in surgical patients (42.6 +/- 13 vs 42.7 +/- 14; p value, not significant [NS]) and higher than those reported in normal working adults (42.6 +/- 13 vs 34.4 +/- 10; p < 0.001). Experimental and control groups were similar in patient and procedure-related characteristics and baseline pre-FFB state and trait anxiety scores. Although trait anxiety scores decreased significantly after the procedure (pooled post-FFB scores of 32.6 +/- 10 vs pre-FFB scores of 35.5 +/- 11; p < 0.001), no reductions were noted in state anxiety (pooled post-FFB scores of 42.8 +/- 13 vs pre-FFB scores of 42.6 +/- 13; p value, NS). More importantly, playing music through headphones during FFB did not result in a statistically or clinically significant reduction in either state or trait anxiety when compared to control subjects. Relaxation music administered through headphones to patients during flexible bronchoscopy does not decrease procedure-related state anxiety.