Music or guided imagery for women undergoing colposcopy: a randomized controlled study of effects on anxiety, perceived pain, and patient satisfaction
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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Suzanne C Danhauer1, Brittney Marler, Cassie A Rutherford
1Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1082, USA. danhauer@wfubmc.edu
Objective:
It was hypothesized that music or guided imagery versus usual care would result in less anxiety and perceived pain for colposcopy patients.
Materials And Methods:
Patients were randomized to music, guided imagery, or usual care after completing a baseline questionnaire. All patients completed a postprocedure questionnaire.
Results:
Study participants (N=170) had a mean age of 28.4 years (SD=9.6; range 18-60) and formed a racially diverse group. Education/income levels were low. No between-group differences were found for postprocedure anxiety or pain rating.
Conclusions:
Mind-body interventions had no statistically significant impact on reported anxiety, perceived pain, or satisfaction with care, even for those who anticipated the most pain or started with high anxiety.