Music eases surgery and speeds recovery, Indian study finds

Summarized from: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c231dv9zpz3o

1. An Indian study found that playing music during general anaesthesia significantly reduced the required doses of anaesthetic drugs like propofol and fentanyl.
2. Patients who listened to music experienced faster, “clear-headed” recoveries, lower stress hormone levels, and better blood pressure control during surgery.
3. The study involved 56 adults undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder removal, with one group listening to calming instrumental music via headphones while the other did not.
4. Researchers suggest that even under general anaesthesia, the brain’s auditory pathway remains partly active, allowing music to influence the body’s internal state.
5. Music helps mitigate the body’s natural stress response to surgery and intubation, which typically leads to increases in heart rate, hormones, and blood pressure.
6. The findings indicate that this simple, non-pharmacological intervention could humanize operating rooms, reduce drug dependency, and modestly improve patient recovery outcomes.