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A prospective randomised study on efficacy of music for decreasing preoperative anxiety in children
Cynthia V Nguyen1, Madeleine Alvin2, Carol Lee3
1Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Shriners for Children Medical Center - Pasadena, Pasadena, USA.
Insights
Music medicine did not significantly reduce preoperative anxiety in children undergoing general anesthesia, as measured by heart rate changes. Older children experienced greater heart rate fluctuations, while pharmacologic sedation proved effective.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Music Therapy
- Child Psychology
Background:
- The operating room environment can induce significant anxiety in pediatric patients.
- Preoperative anxiety in children is a common challenge in pediatric healthcare settings.
- Music medicine is explored as a potential non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of music medicine in mitigating preoperative anxiety in children.
- To compare the effects of patient-chosen music, lullaby music, and no music on anxiety levels.
- To assess heart rate changes as an objective measure of anxiety.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 150 pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia.
- Intervention groups included listening to patient-chosen music, lullaby music, or no music prior to anesthesia induction.
- Heart rate monitoring was conducted at three key points: waiting room, operating room entry, and pre-induction.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in average heart rate change was observed between the music intervention groups and the control group.
- Older children exhibited a greater increase in heart rate when transitioning from the waiting room to the operating room.
- Pharmacologic sedation demonstrated a significant positive impact on reducing heart rate changes at the time of induction.
Conclusions:
- Music medicine interventions, including patient choice and lullaby music, did not effectively reduce preoperative anxiety in children based on heart rate metrics.
- Heart rate changes indicate that older children may be more susceptible to operating room anxiety.
- Pharmacologic sedation remains a validated method for managing perioperative anxiety in pediatric patients.
Background:
The operating room can be a frightening environment for paediatric patients. This study investigated whether music medicine can mitigate preoperative anxiety in children.
Materials And Methods:
One hundred and fifty children undergoing general anaesthesia were randomised to listen to music of the child's choice, lullaby music or no music before induction. Heart rates were measured in the waiting room, upon first entry into the operating room and just prior to induction.
Results:
There was no significant difference in average heart rate change from the waiting room to induction in the patient choice, lullaby and control groups. Older age was associated with higher heart rate changes between baseline and entering the operating room. Pharmacologic sedation showed a significant beneficial effect on heart rate change at induction.
Conclusion:
Use of music medicine in the operating room does not show efficacy to reduce anxiety in children based on heart rate changes.
