The Effects of Music, White Noise, and Ambient Noise on Sedation and Anxiety in Patients Under Spinal Anesthesia During Surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To compare effects of music, white noise, and ambient (background) noise on patient anxiety and sedation. Design: Open, parallel, and randomized controlled trial. Methods: Seventy-five patients aged 18 to 60years who were scheduled for surgical procedures under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to ambient noise (Group O), white noise (Group B), or music groups (Group M). We evaluated patients' anxiety and sedation levels via the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. Finding: At 5minutes before surgery, the STAI-State Anxiety Inventory (SA) value was significantly lower in Group M than the other groups. At 30-minute recovery, Group M showed significantly lower STAI-SA values than the other groups. Patient satisfaction was highest in Group M. OAA/S values were not significantly different between groups during any period (P > .05). Conclusions: We suggest that patient-selected music reduces perioperative anxiety and contributes to patient satisfaction during the perioperative period. © 2014 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.