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Comparing Active and Passive Distraction-Based Music Therapy Interventions on Preoperative Anxiety in Pediatric
Christopher R Millett1, Lori F Gooding2
1Florida Hospital Orlando.
Insights
Music therapy effectively reduces preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients and their caregivers. Both active and passive music interventions showed similar positive outcomes, highlighting music's therapeutic potential in surgical settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Music Therapy
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- High preoperative anxiety in children is linked to distress, surgical complications, and negative postoperative outcomes.
- Caregiver anxiety significantly influences pediatric preoperative anxiety levels.
- Music therapy interventions have demonstrated success in reducing anxiety before invasive procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of active versus passive music therapy for reducing preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients and their caregivers.
- To evaluate music therapy as a distraction technique in a surgical context.
Main Methods:
- 40 pediatric patient-dyads undergoing ambulatory surgery were randomized into active or passive music therapy groups.
- Pediatric anxiety was assessed using the modified Yale Pediatric Anxiety Scale.
- Caregiver anxiety was measured using the Strait-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y6.
Main Results:
- Both active and passive music therapy significantly reduced preoperative anxiety in pediatric patients.
- Caregivers also experienced a significant reduction in anxiety following music therapy interventions.
- There was no significant difference in effectiveness between the active and passive music therapy approaches.
Conclusions:
- Music therapy is a viable strategy for mitigating preoperative anxiety in pediatric surgical patients and their caregivers.
- Future research should consider larger sample sizes and control for factors like sedative premedication.
- Further studies should explore music therapy's impact across different developmental stages.
Background:
Young children who experience high levels of preoperative anxiety often exhibit distress behaviors, experience more surgical complications, and are at a higher risk for developing a variety of negative postoperative consequences. A significant factor in pediatric preoperative anxiety is the level of anxiety present in their caregivers. Active and passive music therapy interventions addressing anxiety prior to invasive procedures have been met with success.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative effectiveness of two distraction-based music therapy interventions on reducing preoperative anxiety in young pediatric surgical patients and their caregivers.
Methods:
A total of 40 pediatric patient and caregiver dyads undergoing ambulatory surgery were included in this study. Pediatric preoperative anxiety was measured pre- and post-intervention using the modified Yale Pediatric Anxiety Scale, while caregiver anxiety was measured through self-report using the short-form Strait-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y6. Participants were randomized to either an active or passive intervention group for a preoperative music therapy session.
Results:
Results indicated a significant reduction in preoperative anxiety for both patients and their caregivers regardless of intervention type. Neither active nor passive music therapy interventions were significantly more effective than the other.
Conclusions:
For future studies, the researchers recommend an increased sample size, controlling for various factors such as sedative premedication use, and testing interventions with patients in various stages of development.
