Effects of music therapy on physiological and psychological outcomes for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
BACKGROUND
Cardiac surgery is a common interventional procedure for ischemic and valvular heart disease. Cardiac surgery is accompanied by postoperative pain and anxiety. The use of music therapy has been shown to reduce pain, anxiety, and physiological parameters in patients having surgical procedures.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of music therapy versus a quiet, uninterrupted rest period on pain intensity, anxiety, physiological parameters, and opioid consumption after cardiac surgery.


METHODS
An experimental design was used. A total sample of 86 patients (69.8% males) were randomized to 1 of 2 groups; 50 patients received 20 minutes of music (intervention), whereas 36 patients had 20 minutes of rest in bed (control). Anxiety, pain, physiologic parameters, and opioid consumption were measured before and after the 20-minute period.


RESULTS
A significant reduction in anxiety (P < or = .001) and pain (P = .009) was demonstrated in the group that received music compared with the control group, but no difference was observed in systolic blood pressure (P = .17), diastolic blood pressure (P = .11), or heart rate (P = .76). There was no reduction in opioid usage in the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients recovering from cardiac surgery may benefit from music therapy.
Sendelbach
Sue E
SE
Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN 55407-3799, USA. Sue.sendelbach@allina.com
Halm
Margo A
MA
Doran
Karen A
KA
Miller
Elaine Hogan
EH
Gaillard
Philippe
P
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001510:Bed Rest / Q000379:methods; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid