Music during bronchoscopic examination: the physiological effects. A randomized trial

Patients scheduled for bronchoscopic procedures are often anxious and frightened. Reduction in the state of anxiety during an invasive procedure may prevent some possible complications. Music has been proposed as a safe nonpharmacological antianxiety intervention.

We followed up physiological indicators of anxiety (blood pressure, heart rate) during bronchoscopic examination to determine the effect of music on the level of anxiety.

Two hundred adult patients were included in the study. Blood pressure, heart rate, procedures performed during bronchoscopy and duration of examination were monitored. Patients' overall feelings during the procedure were rated from 0 (without unpleasant feelings) to 10 (unbearable). All patients used the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Two hundred adult patients referred for bronchoscopy were included in the study: 93 patients received music during the procedure and 107 served as control. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, indications for bronchoscopy, procedures performed during bronchoscopy, duration of the examination and patients' subjective perception of the procedure. The mean hart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the music group compared to the control group.

Our findings suggest that the application of music reduces anxiety during bronchoscopic examination as physiological indicators of anxiety, the mean heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, were significantly lower in the music group.