Music Rx: physiological and emotional responses to taped music programs of preoperative patients awaiting plastic surgery

Abstract

This study investigated the physiological and emotional responses of patients awaiting an elective plastic surgery procedure to a 30-minute taped music program. The study replicated in part the research study of Bonny entitled "Music Rx." Values for the physiological variables of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and double product index (DPI) were obtained before and after the music listening. These data were analyzed via a repeated measures t-test using each subject as her or his own control. The convenience sample of 10 was nonrandomized. Emotional responses were evaluated by means of an open-ended, nondirective questionnaire developed around 5 categories of depression, sadness, and despair; psychological isolation and defensiveness; anxiety; difficulty of medical management; and preoccupation with pain. Process recordings and documented verbal and body language were used before and after the music to identify themes and mood states expressed by patients. Every physiological variable decreased in value at the less than .001 level of significance. The most significant emotional effect appeared to be an experienced shift in patients' awareness toward a more relaxed, calm state. The most critical conclusion is that music listening appeared to effect desirable pattern shifts in physiological and emotional states in the presurgical setting for those patients studied.