Effect of Listening to Preferred Music on Intensity of Pain and Physiologic Parameters in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Background and Aim: Pain is common patient complaint after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery. In present study, we examined the effect of listening to preferred music on intensity of pain and physiologic parameters in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 50 patients who were under CABG surgery were randomly assigned to group "A" (control group) or group "B" (intervention group). Patients in group “A” received usual care after surgery. In addition to usual care, patients in group “B” listened their preferred music (music played by MP4 player with special headphones for 30 minutes two time per day (10 am and 17 pm)). Patients’ pain and physiologic parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressure) were measured with using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and standard apparatus immediately before and 30 minute after intervention. Results: The mean score of pain intensity before and after intervention in patients in group “B” was 4.18 ± 2.68 and 3.13 ± 2.55 respectively (p<0.05). The mean score of pain intensity before and after intervention in patients in group “A” was 5.16 ± 1.37 and 5.20 ± 1.38 respectively (p>0.05). Among physiologic parameters, heart rate and respiratory rate decreased significantly in patients in group “B” (P>0.05). Conclusion: Music is should be considered by clinicians as a non pharmacological, non invasive, simple, cheap, safe, and effective method for pain management after CABG surgery. Music also has not negative effect of patient’s physiologic parameters. Keywords: Pain, vital signs, cardiac surgery, music, non pharmacological methods