The effects of a music intervention on anxiety levels during port catheter surgery

Introduction Several studies in different medical settings have shown positive effects of listening to music in perioperative settings on anxiety and pain levels. Nevertheless, in small operative procedures like port catheter surgery evidence is sparse.

Method In total, 83 female patients undergoing port catheter placement were randomly assigned to music vs. no music intervention during surgery. The medical staff was blind to whether the patient listened to music or not. Anxiety and stress levels were measured by subjective (STAI questionnaire, visual analogue scales) and objective (vital parameters, saliva cortisol and amylase levels) parameters at different time points on the day of the surgery (before, during and after port catheter placement).

Results Positive effects of the music intervention on heart rate and blood pressure could be revealed as the music group showed significantly larger reductions on these measures from beginning of the surgery to skin suture than the control group. Regarding subjective anxiety parameters, STAI-State scores and the visual analogue scale for anxiety did not show a significant influence of the music intervention.

Conclusion The results suggest a positive influence of a music intervention in the setting of port catheter placement on objective anxiety measures. Therefore, music could be considered as a risk-free and low cost addition in clinical routine in order to reduce anxiety in patients receiving port catheter surgery.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
07. Oktober 2020