Music Interventions in Pediatric Surgery (The Music Under Surgery In Children Study): A Randomized Clinical Trial

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Perioperative music interventions are known to reduce anxiety and pain in adults.
• The applicability and benefits of music interventions in pediatric surgical patients, specifically infants, require investigation.
• This study explored music's effects on distress, anxiety, and pain in infants undergoing surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effects of music interventions on distress, anxiety, and postoperative pain in infants aged 0-3 years undergoing common surgical procedures.
• To compare a preoperative music intervention, a pre- and intraoperative music intervention, and a no-music control group.

Main Methods:

• A parallel, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 195 infants (0-3 years) undergoing orchidopexy, hypospadias, or inguinal hernia repair.
• Infants were randomized into three groups: preoperative music, pre- and intraoperative music, or control (no music).
• Primary outcome was postoperative distress (COMFORT-Behavior scale); secondary outcomes included preoperative distress, anxiety, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure, with 24-hour follow-up.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in postoperative distress (COMFORT-Behavior scores) was found between the music intervention groups and the control group at 4 hours post-surgery.
• A statistically significant reduction in heart rate (HR) was observed after the preoperative music intervention in the holding area compared to the control group (P = .003).
• No statistically significant differences in HR were found among the three study arms at all measured time points (P = .069).

Conclusions:

• Music interventions did not demonstrate significant benefits in reducing postoperative distress in the studied infant population.
• Further research is warranted to explore the potential benefits of music interventions during the preoperative period and in infants experiencing higher levels of distress.
• The findings suggest that music's impact may be context-dependent and potentially more effective in specific subgroups or at different surgical stages.