Listening to Music After Surgery May Speed Recovery

A Musical Boost: Notable Reductions in Heart Rate, Pain, and Anxiety

Recovery after surgery can be challenging, and the pain, anxiety, and stress patients experience during this period can cause both physical and psychological discomfort. However, new research suggesting that the simple habit of listening to music may help overcome these difficulties offers a different perspective on surgical recovery. Presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2024, the study demonstrates the power of music as a creative and effective way to help speed recovery after surgery.

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Reducing Pain and Anxiety, Regulating Heart Rate

Researchers from California Northstate University College of Medicine reviewed 3,736 existing studies examining the effects of listening to music after surgery and analyzed 35 studies in detail . All of these studies assessed patient outcomes such as pain, anxiety, heart rate, and opioid (narcotic painkiller) use. The data revealed significant benefits during recovery for patients who listened to music. The main findings were:

• Lower Pain Levels: Patients who listened to music reported a significant reduction in pain one day after surgery. Pain levels were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (approximately 19% reduction) and the Visual Analog Scale (7% reduction).

• Reduced Anxiety: Across all studies analyzed, anxiety levels in patients who listened to music decreased by approximately 3%.

• Less Opioid Use: Patients who listened to music used less morphine than other patients on the first day after surgery. Average opioid use was 1.654 mg in patients who did not listen to music, falling to 0.758 mg in those who did.

• Lower Heart Rate: Patients who listened to music had a significant reduction in heart rate (4.5%). This is important because staying within a healthy heart rate range after surgery helps ensure the effective circulation of oxygen and nutrients needed during recovery.

An Easier Transition with Music

The study's senior author, Dr. Eldo Frezza, stated that listening to music after surgery could ease patients' transition as they wake up and return to normal. Music can help patients feel less stressed. Because listening to music does not require an active therapy such as meditation or Pilates, it can be offered to patients immediately as a cost-free, effortless method.

The study's first author, Shehzaib Raees, emphasized the simple but effective power of music: “When listening to music, you can relax and distract yourself. In this way, you can calm yourself without having to concentrate.”

The researchers noted that listening to music might contribute to recovery by lowering cortisol levels. Future research aims to launch pilot programs for using music after surgery and in intensive care units.

Dr. Frezza's suggestion is very simple: when you feel well after surgery, listen to music you enjoy. Music can provide a sense of a familiar, comforting environment.

This study provides important data on music's positive effects during recovery and suggests it could be considered a simple but effective tool in postoperative patient care.