Background Music's Impact on Patients Waiting in Surgery and Radiology Clinics.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare environment
• Patient experience
• Psychology

Background:

• Western studies suggest background music can reduce patient anxiety and improve hospital perceptions.
• Evidence for music's effectiveness in non-Western populations or diverse healthcare settings remains inconclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different background music genres on patient anxiety and perceptions.
• To compare the effects of Western classical music, lo-fi music, and no music in healthcare waiting areas.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind randomized study with 303 participants in surgery and radiology clinics.
• Participants experienced either Western classical music, lo-fi music, or no music for at least 20 minutes.
• Anxiety was measured using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6), and perceptions were assessed via an eight-question survey.

Main Results:

• Patients in the no music condition reported significantly lower anxiety levels compared to both music groups.
• Hospital service perceptions and expectations were higher among patients in the no music condition.
• Neither Western classical nor lo-fi music demonstrated a significant anxiety-reducing effect.

Conclusions:

• Background music may not be universally beneficial in healthcare settings and can potentially increase anxiety.
• Music choice should be context-dependent, considering the environment's pace and cultural relevance.
• Carefully curated music playlists are necessary to align with patient expectations and avoid negative impacts.