Music's Impact on Preoperative Anxiety: Heart Rate Variability Study During Cataract Surgery

Evaluation of the impact of music on the incidence of surgical complications

Incidence of posterior capsular rupture

Time frame: Immediately after the surgery

Measurement of subjective anxiety level

Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ): The questionnaire consists of 8 questions (items). The Items 1-4 refer to the subscale 'fear of short term consequences of surgery', the items 5-8 refer to the subscale 'fear of long term consequences of surgery'. All items are scored on an eleven point numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 (not at all afraid) to 10 (very afraid). This results in a total score of 0 to 80, calculated by summing item 1-8.

Time frame: Before surgery

Measurement of subjective anxiety level

Visual Analogue scale (VAS). In this 5-score system, we employ illustrative facial expressions to represent varying degrees of anxiety. Each segment is paired with a distinct face, visually conveying the corresponding level of anxiety: 1. No Anxiety: The initial segment features a face showing calmness, symbolizing absence of anxiety. 2. Mild Anxiety: The second segment depicts a face with a slightly concerned expression, indicative of mild anxiety. 3. Moderate Anxiety: In the third segment, the face exhibits clear signs of worry, corresponding to moderate anxiety. 4. Severe Anxiety: The fourth segment portrays a face with a deeply troubled expression, denoting severe anxiety. 5. Extreme Anxiety: The final segment illustrates a face overwhelmed with distress, representing extreme or unbearable anxiety. Patients are invited to select the face that best aligns with their current perceived level of anxiety, enabling a more relatable and empathetic approach to self-assessment.