The Effect of Music on Anxiety in Patients Prior to Gastrointestinal Procedures

Overview

This study investigated the effect of listening to self-selected music on anxiety and physiological responses in patients prior to gastroscopy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted, in which patients scheduled for gastroscopy in a medical center located in Taipei, Taiwan, were enrolled. The experimental group listened to self-selected music with earphones for 15 min before the procedure, whereas the control group rested for 15 min. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate, respiratory rate, and anxiety level were measured immediately before and after the intervention.

Potential study patients were referred from physicians. The research assistant described the study's purpose and procedure to the patients and explained their right to refuse or withdraw from the study without jeopardizing their procedure. In addition, the privacy of each patient's data was ensured by storing the data in a file that required a password to access. Personal identification was by no means included in the data file. In addition, the participants were assured that their data would not be used for purposes other than this research. After obtaining their consent, the participants were randomly assigned into the music group or the control group by drawing lots. We brought the participants to a separate and quiet room in the waiting area to prevent environmental interference. First, the participants completed the study questionnaire; then, the research investigator measured their physiological parameters. The participants in the music group selected the music they preferred from different genres, namely Chinese pop, Taiwanese songs, western classical , light music, western pop, and nostalgic music. If a participant had no particular preference, music with a low tone, regular rhythm (approximately 60-80 beats per minute), and soft melody (light music, 5%) was used, as recommended by a previous study. During the 15-min intervention period before the gastroscopy procedure, the experimental group rested by listening to music and sitting on a comfortable chair, whereas the control group rested only by sitting on a comfortable chair. After the 15-min intervention, the patients' anxiety and physiological parameters were reassessed.