Impact of intraoperative music therapy on the anesthetic requirement and stress response in laparoscopic surgeries under general anesthesia

Abstract

Context Anxiety and pain are common responses to surgery and can negatively affect patient outcomes. Music is increasingly being used as a nonpharmacological intervention perioperatively, to improve patient outcomes and to avoid polypharmacy. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative music on the anesthetic requirement and stress response for laparoscopic surgeries under general anesthesia. Settings and design This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Materials and methods After approval of the hospital ethical committee, 60 ASA I patients were randomly assigned to the music and the no-music group. In the music group, classical instrumental music was played after the induction of anesthesia until the skin closure. In the no-music group, patients wore headphones but no music was played. We established three sample times for measurement of capillary blood sugar level during the procedure and one in the recovery room. Hemodynamic data were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference with respect to demographic profile, baseline hemodynamic variables, and duration of surgery. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the intraoperative hemodynamics between the two groups. The bispectral (BIS) value, end-tidal isoflurane concentration, and fentanyl requirement were comparable in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the blood sugar levels between the two groups. Conclusion In this study, we could not demonstrate the beneficial effects of intraoperative music as a nonpharmacological intervention under general anesthesia on stress response and anesthetic requirement.