Under the harsh lights of an operating theatre in Delhi, a woman lies motionless as surgeons prepare for gallbladder removal. Although she is under general anesthesia, gentle flute music flows through her headphones.
A recent study from Delhi's Maulana Azad Medical College shows that this music not only reduces the doses of anesthetic drugs needed but also speeds up recovery times. As published in the journal Music and Medicine, this pioneering research provides compelling evidence that music can enhance the surgical experience.
The study, focusing on patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, revealed that those exposed to music required lower amounts of propofol and fentanyl and had smoother recoveries with stabilized vital signs during surgery.
Dr. Farah Husain, a senior anaesthetist involved in the study, emphasized, Patients need to wake up clear-headed and ideally pain-free after surgery. The music seems to soften the body's stress response, traditionally marked by increased heart rates and blood pressure.
The findings indicate a valuable intersection between music therapy and modern anesthesiology practices, suggesting that soothing melodies can not only help ease a patient's experience but may revolutionize surgical care protocols.
The study's results point towards a broader embrace of non-pharmacological interventions in surgery, paving the way for improved patient management and recovery strategies.
