ENGLAND — The BBC reports: Researchers at Queen Mary University of London said the patients who had listened to music had been less anxious after their surgery and had needed less pain relief.
The Department of Health said doctors should consider the findings. The scientists want hospitals to suggest in NHS information leaflets that patients bring music devices and playlists into hospital with them.
The team reviewed 70 trials, involving about 7,000 patients around the time of surgery, comparing a wide variety of mostly “soothing” music with:
* undisturbed bed rest
* headphones with no music
* white noise
* routine care
The lead author, Dr Catherine Meads, said Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon album had helped soothe her pain three hours after hip surgery in April.
Music was a safe, cheap and non-invasive option that should “be available to everyone having surgery”, she said.
“Currently music is not used routinely during surgery to help patients in their post-operative recovery.
“The lack of uptake is often down to the scepticism of professionals as to whether it genuinely works, and of course issues of budget and the integration into daily practice.”
Dr Meads added “it was quite a surprise” music had worked under general anaesthetic.
In another study, Prof. Levitin said, “We’ve found compelling evidence that musical interventions can play a health care role in settings ranging from operating rooms to family clinics. But even more importantly, we were able to document the neurochemical mechanisms by which music has an effect in four domains: management of mood, stress, immunity and as an aid to social bonding.”
Playing a musical instrument, singing and dancing provide even greater health benefits.