Music before undergoing cardiac catheterisation between preference and reality. A pilot study

Previous studies have reported beneficial effects of music in the context of health care: anxiolytic, distracting, pain reliever, promoting nutrition, socialization and comfortable environment.

In this pilot study, the patient's point of view before undergoing cardiac catheterization procedure was described. Attitudes to music, including habitual listening by genre and broadcasting were compared with its useful in hospital and in the specific pre-procedural condition.

In this cross-sectional study, the interview was conducted through a semi-structured paper questionnaire, subjected to face validity. The sample consisted of patients waiting for the procedure (N=45) included by randomized sampling. A Spearman coefficient was conducted to observe statistically significant correlations. Data were analysed using 24.0 SPSS software.

80% of respondents prefer Italian pop music during procedural waiting, played by loudspeakers (71%). they think music can help them engage the wait (55.6%) and alleviate unpleasant feelings (33.3%). Favorable attitude to music in hospital (91.1%) is significantly correlated to its useful in hospital (p=0.01) but only 8.9% actually use it.

Music Preferences support pre-recorded Italian pop music played with loudspeakers, recognized by the patient as the most desired activity while waiting for the procedure.

The patient's choice to attribute to music the ability to alleviate unpleasant sensations before the procedure is due to the need for emotional support, to which it can effectively respond. Studies are needed to explore preferences before, during and after music listening and also educate stakeholders in the use of guidelines for music based interventions.