Listening to music during ambulatory ophthalmic surgery reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress
QUESTION: Does listening to self selected music during ambulatory ophthalmic surgery reduce blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and perceived levels of stress in elderly patients?
Design
Cluster randomised (unclear allocation concealment), unblinded, controlled trial with follow up to the postoperative period.
Setting
A university medical centre in Buffalo, New York, USA.
Patients
40 patients who were 51–88 years of age (mean age 76 y, 75% women) and were having ophthalmic surgery (all but 2 were having surgery for removal of cataracts). 21 patients had drug controlled hypertension, and drug treatment was not discontinued on the day of surgery. Follow up was complete.
Intervention
Surgeons (n=2) were allocated to music (20 patients) or no music (20 patients). Patients in the music group were given stereo headphones, a cassette player, and a choice of …
