Under the harsh lights of an operating theatre in Delhi, a woman lies motionless as surgeons prepare to remove her gallbladder. She is under general anesthesia: unconscious, insensate, and rendered completely still by a blend of drugs. Yet, amid the hum of monitors and the steady rhythm of the surgical team, a gentle stream of flute music plays through the headphones placed over her ears.
New research from Delhi's Maulana Azad Medical College indicates that music during surgery can significantly affect recovery. The study suggests that patients who listen to music during procedures awaken more quickly and clearly, requiring lower doses of medication such as propofol and opioid painkillers.
Focusing on laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the standard operation for gallbladder removal, the study found that music not only assists in faster awakenings but also aids in better pain management, reducing the stress response during surgeries. Dr. Farah Husain, a senior specialist in anesthesia and a certified music therapist, emphasizes the need for patients to wake up clear-headed and pain-free, which is now being approached through integrating music into the surgical experience.
Dr. Tanvi Goel, the primary investigator, revealed that patients who listened to music required significantly less sedation and pain medication, leading to smoother recoveries and better control of heart rates and blood pressure. The study involved a group of 56 adults, half of whom enjoyed calming instrumental pieces during their surgeries.
With music therapy already present in psychiatric treatment and palliative care, its implementation in anesthesia represents a new frontier in improving surgical well-being. As future studies explore this innovative approach, the findings indicate that even a simple intervention like music can humanize and enhance the surgical experience.
