Shockwave lithotripsy with music: Less painful and more satisfactory treatment

Abstract

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to determine whether listening to music during a session of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) improves patients’ pain. Material and methodA simple, blind randomization was undertaken of patients with kidney and ureter stones attending an ESWL session of 7000 waves for the first time, between September and December 2014. One group was given music and the other was not. The age, gender, location of stones (kidney/ureter) were recorded and 2 questionnaires: pre ESWL (questionnaire A) and postESWL (questionnaire B). Each questionnaire contained a question about anxiety and another question on pain on the Likert scale (0–10). Questionnaire B also had a question on satisfaction and comfort (Likert 0–10). Other variables included heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure on wave 2000, 5000 and 7000, reason for halting the procedure, total pethidine (mg), secondary analgesia, energy (J) and frequency (Hz). Bivariate analysis using the Student's t-test, X2/Fisher test and a multiple linear regression model. ResultsThe sample comprised 95 patients, with a mean age of 52 (±13) years, 35 (36.84%) females, 60 (63.2%) males. A total of 25 (26.3%) ureter stones and 70 (73.7%) kidney stones. A number of 42 (44.2%) patients were given music. There were no differences between the demographic variables or questionnaire A scores. Satisfaction and pain were better on questionnaire B with music. ConclusionMusic can reduce pain and improve patient satisfaction in ESWL treatment. More studies are required to confirm this effect.