Music has facilitated the recovery of patients following surgery.

Medical professionals have long been aware of the pain-relieving effects of music. In one experiment, music therapy reduced postoperative pain in patients with spinal conditions. In another study, it was found that favorite melodies were more effective in lowering pain sensitivity during heat exposure tests compared to unfamiliar music.

Researchers from the medical college at California State University, Northridge in Elk Grove, USA, decided to conduct a detailed analysis of existing evidence regarding the role of music in the recovery of individuals after surgery. After reviewing over 3,700 publications, the researchers selected 35 articles for a systematic review.

The meta-analysis revealed that listening to music through headphones or speakers facilitated faster recovery after surgical procedures. Specifically, patients who received music therapy reported less pain the next day. Assessment using numerical rating and visual analog scales showed a pain reduction of 19% and 7%, respectively.

Moreover, those who listened to music experienced a 3% lower level of anxiety, and their heart rate was approximately 4.5 beats per minute lower than that of patients without music therapy. Additionally, they required significantly less morphine—an average of 0.758 milligrams compared to 1.654 milligrams for those who did not listen to music.

The researchers noted that unlike other, more active practices such as meditation or Pilates, listening to melodies does not require mental or physical effort and can be applied almost immediately after surgery. The beneficial effects of music were also linked to a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol during listening.

“When patients regain consciousness after surgery, they sometimes experience fear or confusion about their surroundings. Music can ease this transition and reduce the accompanying stress. <…> It calms and creates a sense of being in a familiar place,” the medical professionals explained.

The results of the study were presented at the American College of Surgeons (American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2024