Effect of music on vital signs and postoperative pain

AORN Journal, August, 2004 by Eleni Ikonomidou, Anette Rehnstrom, Ole Naesh

This study points to an anxiety-reducing effect of a period of peaceful rest both before and after surgery. One recent paper advocates establishing a "department of sound" to reduce environmental noise pollution in a hospital setting. (25) The results of this study support a quiet perioperative environment; however, such a setting is most unusual in contemporary hospitals.

The addition of music therapy in the perioperative period thus stands out more as a complementary measure for improved patient comfort and satisfaction, although an opioid-sparing effect seems to be attainable with the use of postoperative music therapy.