The Effect of Different Types of Music on Pain and Anxiety during Wound Care Procedures in Patients with Venous...

To evaluate the effects of different types of music (instrumental Turkish music and Western music without lyrics) played during wound care on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction among individuals with venous ulcers.

In this randomized controlled trial, 97 patients with venous ulcers were assigned to three groups: Western music ( n  = 32), Turkish music ( n  = 32), and Control ( n  = 33). Patients in the music groups listened to their assigned music during routine wound dressing, while all patients received individualized, evidence-based care. Pain and anxiety were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before, during, and after dressing, and patient satisfaction was assessed with the VAS post-procedure.

The mean age was 56.5 ± 8.5 years; 61% were female ( n  = 59) and 39% male ( n  = 38). Between-group comparisons revealed a significant effect of music on anxiety ( F (2.94) = 27.771, P < 0.001, η2  = 0.371). These findings indicate that listening to music significantly reduced anxiety levels, with Turkish music producing a stronger effect than Western music. Music had a pain-reducing effect during dressing, with Turkish music significantly lowering pain compared to the control group ( F (4.188) = 9.039, P < 0.001, η2  = 0.161). Although pain levels decreased in the Western music group, this reduction did not reach statistical significance. Patient satisfaction was also higher in the music groups ( P < 0.001).

In this study, Turkish music was particularly effective, demonstrating greater reductions in anxiety and pain, as well as higher patient satisfaction compared to both Western music and the control group. The findings emphasize the importance of cultural characteristics and patient preference in music-based interventions; they demonstrate that music is an effective nursing intervention that can be applied independently by nurses, is low-cost, and is non-invasive.