Effect of slow tempo music on markers of anxiety during cataract surgery: Randomized control trial

• Published in: Taiwan journal of ophthalmology Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 74 - 81
• Main Authors: Musa, Azlan, Ng, Qi, Wai, Yong, Iqbal, Tajunisah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Publications 01.01.2022; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Amylases; Cataract; Heart beat; lens; music; Original; phacoemulsification; salivary alpha-amylase; stress; Surgery; stress; Cataract; music; lens; salivary alpha-amylase; phacoemulsification
• ISSN: 2211-5056; 2211-5072
• DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_10_21

PURPOSE: This study aims to objectively measure the effect of slow tempo music on various markers for anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a repeated measure randomized control trial of patients with age-related cataracts undergoing cataract extraction through phacoemulsification under local anesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups: music group where a standardized piano music was played and control group. Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of surgery. Blood pressure and heart rate were also measured at 5 min before surgery and at four other standardized points during and after surgery. Visual Analog Scale for anxiety was also gauged: preoperatively, perioperatively, and 15 min postoperatively. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were randomized equally to the music group and control group. Paired sample t-test showed a reduction in the level of sAA during surgery in the music group (P = 0.019). The odds ratio for a drop in sAA with music was 4.407 (P = 0.001). Lower systolic blood pressure was observed in the music group: at delivery of local anesthesia (P = 0.047), at first incision (P = 0.023), and during sculpting (P = 0.15). Similarly, diastolic blood pressure was lower at first incision (P = 0.019) in the music group. The visual analog scale for anxiety during surgery was found to be lower in the music group (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: A slow tempo music during cataract surgery was shown to significantly reduce several indicators for anxiety at various points during cataract surgery.