Effect of Music on Pain, Embarrassment, and Urodynamic Outcomes During Urodynamic Testing: A Randomized Controlled...

This study investigated whether music affected pain, embarrassment, and urodynamic outcomes during invasive urodynamic testing.

In this randomized controlled trial, 94 patients were assigned to a music group (n=49) or a control group (n=45). Patients in the music group listened to slow-tempo classical instrumental music at 40-60 dB, whereas those in the control group received standard care. The primary outcome was procedural pain, which was measured using a visual analogue scale at 3 stages: uroflowmetry, positioning on the examination table, and catheter insertion. Secondary outcomes included embarrassment and objective urodynamic parameters. Nonparametric methods were used because of the data distribution.

The music group reported lower pain during uroflowmetry (T1; P=0.022) and positioning on the examination table (T2; P=0.041), although the absolute reductions were small. Pain did not differ significantly between groups during catheter insertion (T3). No significant between-group differences were found in embarrassment or urodynamic parameters (P>0.05).

Music may modestly reduce pain during some stages of invasive urodynamic testing, but it did not affect embarrassment or urodynamic outcomes. Because it is simple, safe, and low cost, music may be a useful supportive nursing intervention to improve patient comfort, although its clinical effect appears limited.