Introduction

Farlow Music Therapy Services

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Introduction

Waiting in a holding area until medical personnel come to take you to surgery can be a very stressful time. Anyone who has undergone surgery or who has watched a family member as he or she prepares to undergo surgery knows the anxiety one feels when facing the unknown realm of the operating room. This feeling of anxiety has many contributing factors, such as fear of pain, fear of the outcome, and loss of control over one’s own body (Cowan, 1991). Physical reactions such as restlessness, trembling, muscle tension, fatigue, shortness of breath, increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure may occur and lead to medical complications (Robb, Nichols, Rutan, Bishop & Parker, 1995). By helping patients maintain control over their level of anxiety before surgery, it may be possible to lessen or even eliminate complications caused by physiological responses to stress during and after surgery.

Several research studies have been conducted in the surgical area that demonstrate the effectiveness of music interventions for the purpose of assisting patients in reducing their levels of anxiety. Studies have been conducted to test the effectiveness of music with patients before, during and after surgery. Most studies reviewed for this paper used unassisted music listening as their main intervention, however other uses of music, such as music and guided imagery, music as a memory aid, music as background and music assisted relaxation were also used. This paper will begin by reviewing research that used unassisted music listening with patients before, during and after surgery then will continue by reviewing research that used music interventions with patients in the surgical area assisted by a music therapist. One important area to consider when reviewing research in this area is the effect the presence of a music therapist has in reducing anxiety levels of patients in the surgical area.

Next page: Interventions using unassisted music listening before surgery

Contents: The effect of music interventions in the surgical setting on patients' level of anxiety