Benefits of intraoperative music on orthopedic surgeries under spinal anesthesia: A randomized clinical trial

To determine whether instrumental music influences the anxiety status and intraoperative sedative requirements of a patient A single center, prospective, randomized controlled trial Patients between 18 and 65 years, physical status of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA I or II) who underwent lower limb orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia. Patients were assigned to one of two groups: (1) Music Group: patients hearing instrumental music through a headset during the entire procedure or (2) No Music Group: patients wearing headphones without music Before and after the procedure, the anxiety status of the patient was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and intraoperative sedative drug consumption was quantified. A total of 107 patients were analyzed. A significant reduction in anxiety in the Music Group patients after surgery (p = 0.023) was found. Patients in this group also required less additional medication for intraoperative sedation (p = 0.004), and 88.9% of Music Group patients self-reported that music helped them remain calm during the procedure. Most patients in both groups agreed that music should be used during surgical procedures (98.2% and 94.3% in Music and No Music Groups, respectively) This study showed that listening to instrumental music during lower limb orthopedic surgery caused a reduction in anxiety and sedative requirements. Patients also self-reported a positive music-related experience. •Postoperative anxiety can be reduced by intraoperative use of instrumental music in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.•Listening to music during this surgical procedure may reduce intraoperative sedative drugs.•Patients expressed themselves favorably to the use of intraoperative music.