A new study from India suggests that listening to music during surgery can significantly improve patient recovery and reduce the need for anesthetic medications.
Researchers at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) in Delhi found that patients who listened to music during general anesthesia required less Propofol and opioid painkillers such as Fentanyl. The findings were published in the journal Music and Medicine.
The study also observed that patients exposed to music maintained more stable vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate. They also experienced reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reported a faster, clearer recovery after surgery.
Dr. Farah Hussain, an anesthesiologist and music therapist on the research team, emphasized their goal of ensuring patients recover quickly, feeling refreshed and with minimal pain. She stated that music effectively reduces physical stress, even when a patient is unconscious.
The research focused on 56 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a short gallbladder removal procedure that typically requires a rapid awakening from anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: one wore headphones with no sound, while the other listened to relaxing instrumental music like flute or piano.
The group that listened to music clearly showed a reduction in medication usage and more stable vital signs throughout their operations.
Even though patients are unconscious, their bodies still react to surgical stimuli such as intubation, incisions, and organ manipulation. These actions can cause spikes in blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones.
The research indicated that music helped mitigate these physiological stress responses.
Dr. Sonia Wadhawan, a professor of anesthesiology, explained that while patients may be unconscious, their brains still perceive some auditory input. She noted that music can modulate internal brain states and diminish stress reactions.
Music therapy has a long history in other medical fields, including psychiatry, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care. However, its integration into the operating room represents a novel advancement in modern anesthesiology.
The Indian medical team is now planning further studies to explore combining music with non-inhalation anesthesia techniques, which could potentially transform future surgical practices.