The Effect of Listening to Music on Surgical Fear and Anxiety before Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: Listening to music has been used as an intervention during both the treatment and rehabilitation process. Cardiac surgery is stressful and generates fear for most patients. This study assessed the effect of listening to music on the level of surgical fear and state anxiety of the patients, who were undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: This randomized controlled trial consisted of 50 patients in the intervention group and 50 patients in the control group. Two days before cardiac surgery, the intervention group listened to music for about 45 minutes each day. The control group received no music intervention. Patients’ state anxiety and surgical fear were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Surgical Fear Scale. Results: After the music intervention, the mean surgical fear of the intervention group was 29.04±10.31, and the control group was 50.68±13.65. The state anxiety rate of the intervention group was 39.56 ± 9.37. The state anxiety rate of the control group was found to be 56.94±13.90. The difference between the mean state anxiety and surgical fear scores before cardiac surgery were statistically significant between the intervention group and control group. Conclusion: A music listening program may aid patients in the preoperative period to reduce stress and anxiety and is well accepted by patients. Listening to music as an intervention for patients, expecting to undergo cardiac surgery was feasible and the results suggest a high degree of effectiveness.