Music for colonoscopy: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Several methods have been reported to minimize patient discomfort during colonoscopy, none are currently recommended by clinical practice guidelines. We performed a single-blind randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of music for colonoscopy.


METHODS
109 patients were randomized to music-delivering or mute headphones before and during colonoscopy. Physicians were blinded to the trial. Sedation was given on demand. Primary outcome was pain measured on linear analogue scale from 0 to 10. Secondary endpoints were the difficulty of the procedure, need of sedation, overall patient satisfaction and willingness to repeat the procedure.


RESULTS
Mean pain score was 5.9±2.2 in the control group vs. 3.8±1.9 in the music group (p<0.00001); correspondingly overall satisfaction and willingness to repeat the procedure were significantly improved by music and the difficulty perceived by physicians was significantly reduced. Total administered midazolam was 36mg in the control group vs. 13 in the music group (p<0.007), pethidine was 860mg vs. 465mg (p=0.07) and patients requiring sedation were 22 vs. 9, respectively (p=0.003). A multivariable analysis to adjust treatment effect for potential confounding factors confirmed the significant beneficial effect of music.


CONCLUSIONS
Music significantly reduces discomfort and should be routinely offered to patients undergoing colonoscopy.
Costa
Andrea
A
Gastroenterology Unit and Endoscopy Service, "V. Cervello" Hospital, Via Trabucco 180, 90 146 Palermo, Italy.
Montalbano
Luigi Maria
LM
Orlando
Ambrogio
A
Ingoglia
Carlo
C
Linea
Cristina
C
Giunta
Marco
M
Mancuso
Andrea
A
Mocciaro
Filippo
F
Bellingardo
Rosanna
R
Tinè
Fabio
F
D'Amico
Gennaro
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009147:Music Therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016037:Single-Blind Method