The effect of patient-selected music on early postoperative pain, anxiety, and hemodynamic profile in cesarean section surgery

Abstract

Background: After cesarean section surgery, routine pharmacologic methods of analgesia--opioids and benzodiazepines--may impair the immediate close contact of mother and neonate for their sedative and emetic effects.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of patient-selected music on postoperative pain, anxiety, opioid requirement, and hemodynamic profile.

Methods: A total of 80 patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II, scheduled to undergo general anesthesia and elective cesarean section surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 30 minutes of music or silence via headphones postoperatively. Pain and anxiety were measured with a visual analogue scale. Total postoperative morphine requirement as well as blood pressure and heart rate were recorded after the intervention period.

Results: Pain score and postoperative cumulative opioid consumption were significantly lower among patients in the music group (p < 0.05), while there were no group differences in terms of anxiety score, blood pressure, or heart rate (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Postoperative use of patient-selected music in cesarean section surgery would alleviate the pain and reduce the need for other analgesics, thus improving the recovery and early contact of mothers with their children.