Effects of Music Therapy on Perioperative Anxiety, Depression and Postoperative Satisfaction in Elderly Patients with Distal-Radius Fractures: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Objective: To evaluate the effects of music therapy on perioperative anxiety, depression and postoperative satisfaction in elderly patients undergoing surgery for distal radius fractures. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 186 patients (≥65 years) was conducted from January 2022 to December 2024. The participants were divided based on the treatment period: standard care (January 2022–June 2023, n = 92) or music therapy plus standard care (July 2023–December 2024, n = 94). Outcomes measured included anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]; anxiety levels (Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety [VAS-A]); sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQ]); satisfaction; pain; length of hospital stay and functional recovery at preoperative, postoperative 24 hours, discharge and 2-week and 6-week follow-up timepoints. Results: The music-therapy group demonstrated progressive improvements across all timepoints. At 6 weeks, the music therapy group maintained superior outcomes compared with standard care: HADS-Anxiety (6.05 ± 1.98 vs. 7.34 ± 2.24, P < 0.001), HADS-Depression (5.86 ± 2.07 vs. 6.69 ± 2.53, P = 0.015), VAS-A (28.83 ± 12.94 vs. 33.47 ± 15.19 mm, P = 0.026) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (6.15 ± 1.94 vs. 7.33 ± 2.18, P < 0.001). Patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher (8.46 ± 0.94 vs. 7.93 ± 1.29, P < 0.001). Hospital stay was reduced (3.21 ± 0.89 vs. 4.12 ± 1.23 days, P < 0.001), opioid consumption decreased (23.59 ± 11.67 vs. 34.56 ± 13.89 oral morphine equivalents, P < 0.001) and functional recovery was superior (disability of the arm, shoulder and hand]: 28.01 ± 11.34 vs. 38.87 ± 13.78, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Music therapy considerably reduces anxiety and depression, enhances sleep quality and satisfaction and facilitates recovery of elderly patients undergoing distal radius fracture surgery.