The effects of music therapy on anxiety, pain and the amount of analgesics following coronary artery surgery

Background: This study aims to investigate the possible effects of music therapy on the anxiety level, pain perception, and the amount of analgesics used during the intensive care unit and surgery unit stays of patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Methods: This randomized controlled study included a total of 68 patients (52 males, 16 females; mean age 61.6±10.7 years; range 28 to 75 years) who underwent coronary artery surgery with open heart surgery in Cardiovascular Surgery Department of a private hospital in Afyonkarahisar between March 2011 - October 2011. The patients were divided into two groups: 34 patients (25 males, 9 females; mean age 62.3±11.3 years; range 28 to 75 years) in the music group and 34 patients (27 males, 7 females; mean age 60.8±10.3 years; range 28 to 75 years) in the control group. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected using the Patient Identification Form, Patient Follow-up Form. The visual analog scale - pain, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to assess pain and anxiety levels of the patients. Results: The anxiety level of the music group was lower compared to the control group. However, there was no statistical significant difference (p=0.12 and p=0.09, respectively). The pain perception levels were statistically significantly lower in the music group, compared to the controls (p=0.001, p=0.002 and p=0.001, respectively). The amount of analgesics used was statistically significantly lower in the music group (p=0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). Conclusion: Our study results show that music therapy reduces pain perception and the amount of analgesics during the intensive care unit and surgery unit stays of patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Therefore, we recommend music therapy after coronary artery surgery.