An Empirical Investigation of the Anxiolytic and Pain Reducing Effects of Music
Journal
Psychology of Music
Year
2003
Abstract
Two empirical experiments investigating the anxiety and pain reducing effects of listening to music via personal stereo following surgical procedures involving general anesthetic are reported. In Experiment 1, following minor surgery on the foot, 20 participants in an experimental group listened to music while 20 participants in a control group did not. Results indicate that the music group felt significantly less anxiety than the control group. No differences in pain measurements between the two groups were found. Experiment 2 involved a music listening group of 30 females and a no music control group of 28 females. Both groups underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy. Post-operative measures of pain, anxiety, and patient-controlled analgesia were taken. No differences between the groups were obtained on these measurements. Tables, graphs, and references are included.
Music and Health Institute Terms
Analgesic Intake; Anxiety; Hospital Setting; Medication Use; Music Listening; Music Medicine; Obstetrical/Gynecological Surgery; Orthopedic Surgery; Pain; Pain Management and Control; Pain Score or Rating; Postoperative Pain; Postoperative Patients; Recorded Music Listening; Self-Report Measures; Surgery; Surgical Patients
Indexed Terms
Anxieties; Surgery; Pain Management; Comparative Analysis
Study Type
Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods
PubMed ID
1340188
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
MacDonald, A. R., Mitchell, L. A., Dillon, T., Serpell, M. G., & Davies, J. B. (2003). An Empirical Investigation of the Anxiolytic and Pain Reducing Effects of Music. Psychology of Music, 31 (2), 187-203. Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-music-pain-articles/80