Music in ops can ease the pain of surgery

Patients should be offered the chance to listen to music during procedures to reduce pain and anxiety, says a leading surgeon.

Bhaskar somani, a consultant urological surgeon, said it was a ‘practical, cheap and harmless’ intervention that also increased patients’ satisfaction and willingness to undergo treatment again in the future.

‘in the modern era, the volume of urological procedures delivered on an outpatient basis has risen and many of these are carried out under local anaesthesia,’ he said. ‘However, from the patient perspective, the experience of undergoing such procedures – not just in urology but across medical and surgical specialties – while awake can cause pain and anxiety.’

Mr somani, who works at University Hospital southampton nHs Foundation trust, made his comments following a study by his researchers. they reviewed data on 1,900 patients in 15 international studies who attended urology outpatient appointments for a range of procedures and investigations.

the analysis, published in the Journal of Urology, found a reduction in pain and anxiety among patients who listened to music in 90 per cent of the studies, while overall satisfaction was better in 53 per cent and the willingness to repeat the procedure was higher in 40 per cent. there was also evidence of patients who listened to music tolerating higher levels of shockwaves, a procedure used in urology.

Mr somani said: ‘Music seems to decrease anxiety and pain and serve as a useful tool to increase procedural satisfaction and willingness to undergo it again.’

He said the proven benefits, low cost and simplicity of music therapy presented a ‘strong case’ for a wider roll-out across specialties.

‘a clear strength of music is its low cost, non-invasive nature and ease of delivery,’ added Mr somani. ‘there is a very strong case for all patients to be offered the option of music as an additional therapy when undergoing procedures.’

‘Offered as an additional therapy’