Listening to music during electromyography does not influence the examinee's anxiety and pain levels.
BACKGROUND
Listening to music is a low-cost intervention that has demonstrated ability to reduce pain and anxiety levels in various medical procedures.


METHODS
Subjects undergoing electrophysiological examinations were randomized into a music-listening group and a control group. Visual analog scales were used to measure anxiety and pain levels during the procedure.


RESULTS
Thirty subjects were randomized to each group. No statistically significant difference was found in anxiety or pain levels during the procedure between groups. However, most subjects in the music-listening group reported anxiety and pain reduction and would prefer to hear music in a future examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Although listening to music during electrophysiological examinations did not reduce anxiety or pain significantly, most subjects felt a positive effect and would prefer to hear music; therefore, we suggest that music may be offered optionally in the electromyography laboratory setting.
Department of Neurology and the Neuromuscular Service, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv, 6423906, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Alon
A
Abraham
Vivian E
VE
Drory
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music / Q000523:psychology*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
anxiety; electrodiagnosis; electromyography; integrative medicine; music; pain