Music benefits on postoperative distress and pain in pediatric day care surgery

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Music Therapy
• Pain Management

Background:

• The postoperative effects of music listening in pediatric patients remain underexplored.
• Postoperative distress and pain are significant concerns in pediatric day care surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of music intervention on postoperative distress and pain in pediatric patients undergoing day care surgery.
• To assess physiological and psychological responses to music during the postoperative awakening period.

Main Methods:

• Forty-two pediatric patients were randomized into a music group (receiving music during awakening) or a non-music group (standard care).
• Music intervention involved slow and fast classical music with pauses played via ambient speakers.
• Indicators assessed included heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, glucose and cortisol levels, Faces Pain Scale, and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale.

Main Results:

• Music intervention led to a lower increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the non-music group.
• The music group exhibited a plateau pattern in glycemia, contrasting with progressive increases in the non-music group (P<0.001).
• The FLACC scale indicated a positive impact on pain reactions, with greater amelioration observed in older children.

Conclusions:

• Music listening during the postoperative awakening period can improve cardiovascular parameters and mitigate stress-induced hyperglycemia in children.
• Music intervention demonstrates a positive effect on pain perception, particularly in older pediatric patients.
• The alternation of fast and slow rhythms with pauses in music appears effective in pediatric postoperative care.