Effects of Music Therapy on Perioperative Anxiety, Physiological Stress, and Postoperative Recovery in Patients Undergoing Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

64 patients undergoing elective knee arthroscopy were randomized to receive personalized music therapy (MT) or silent headphone use. The intervention consisted of 30 minutes of preoperative music listening and up to 30 minutes during recovery in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). The primary outcome of interest was perioperative anxiety measured using the six-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), physiological stress responses, sedation measured using the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale (OAA/S), PACU length of stay, and recovery quality measured using the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15). Outcomes were assessed during the preoperative and PACU periods and at 24 hours postoperatively. Overall, the results of the study revealed that personalized MT significantly reduced anxiety and postoperative pain, improved physiological stability and alertness, shortened PACU stay, and improved recovery quality. These findings suggested that personalized MT may be a useful nonpharmacological adjunct to perioperative care for knee arthroscopy.