Effects of Tibetan Music on Neuroendocrine and Autonomic Functions in Patients Waiting for Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Study

Background . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to Tibetan music on anxiety and endocrine, autonomic, cognitive responses in patients waiting for urologic surgery. Methods . Sixty patients waiting for surgery were enrolled to the study. They were randomized in music (M) and control (C) groups. The M group listened to a low-frequency Tibetan music for 30 min (T 0 –T 30 ) through headphones, and the C group wore headphones with no sound. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (STAI) Y-1 was administered at T 0 and T 30 . Normalized low (LFnu) and high frequencies (HFnu) of heart rate variability, LF/HF ratio, and galvanic skin response (GRS) data were analyzed at T 0 , T 10 , T 20 , T 30 , and T 35 . The salivary α -amylase (sAA) samples were collected at T 0 , T 35 , and T 45 . Results . In the M group, the STAI Y-1 score decreased at T 30 versus baselinep<0.001, sAA levels decreased at T 35 versus T 0 p=0.004, and GSR remained unchanged. In the C group, the STAI Y-1 score remained unchanged, sAA level increased at T 35 versus T 0 p<0.001, and GSR slightly increased at T 35 versus baselinep=0.359. LFnu was lower, and HFnu was significantly higher (T 10 –T 30 ) in M versus C group. Mean LF/HF ratio slightly reduced in the M group. Conclusions . Our results suggest that preoperative listening to relaxing Tibetan music might be a useful strategy to manage preoperative anxiety.