Alternative Therapies In Health And Medicine

Data showed a significant decrease in mean pain scores after
the second session of day 2 for the music group (change, –1.4
[1.4]) compared with the control group (change, –0.4 [1.4])
(P = .001) (Figure 2). Mean relaxation scores improved more at
the first session of day 2 for the music group (change, 1.9 [2.7])
compared with the control group (change, 0.3 [2.9]) (P = .03).
Besides the difference mentioned above, the music group had
lower anxiety and increased satisfaction overall, although these
differences were not statistically significant (Figures 3-5).
Diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly on day 4 after
session 2 in the music group compared with the control group (Table
2). The differences in the various outcomes between groups remained
after age difference was adjusted in models. There was a trend of
decreasing opioid use on day 3 in the music group that was not statistically
significant (Table 3).
Several qualitative observations were noted. The study coordinator
found that patients and families were very receptive to being in
the study and listening to music selections or having quiet time. There
were individual preferences for certain selections; some patients preferred
specific combinations of music and nature sounds. In both
groups, some patients brought their own music to listen to outside of
the study sessions, and some patients listened to music in the operating
room, too. The coordinator found that it was difficult for patients
to not be interrupted during the session in the busy cardiac surgical
unit and that it was a little easier to locate patients in their rooms in
the afternoon. Nurses were receptive to the study interventions and
made comments about the positive effect on the environment for the
patients and for themselves.
Discussion
In this study, patients in the music group had a significant
reduction in pain soon after surgery and an overall trend of
increases in reported relaxation scores. They also had an overall
trend of lower reported anxiety scores and a trend of increased
levels of satisfaction with care overall. These results are consistent
with those of other studies that examined the effects of
music listening in hospitalized patients. 13-19 Assisting patients
with any amount of reduction in pain and anxiety after cardiac
surgery is valuable for healing and improving the overall experience
for the patients. 22,23 Research on pain management suggests
that early treatment to relieve pain may help prevent long-term
pain. 22 Interventions such as ambient music should be considered
as an adjuvant for more complete relief of postoperative
pain for cardiac surgery patients. This recommendation is confirmed
by a similar study with cardiac surgery patients at another
medical facility with similar patient populations. 24
3.5
3.0
2.5
Mean Pain Score
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Music
Control
Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post
Session 1 Session 2 Session 1 Session 2 Session 1 Session 2
Day 2 Day 3 Day 4
FIGURE 2 Mean Pain Scores. Patients rated their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most intense pain) before (Pre) and after (Post) each session
of ambient music (for patients in the music group) or quiet rest (for patients in the control group).
Nature Sounds and Music After Cardiac Surgery
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, jul/aug 2011, VOL. 17, NO. 4 19