Effects of Music Listening on Cortisol Levels and Propofol Consumption during Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract

Background: This study explores effects of instrumental music on the hormonal system (as indicated by serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone), the immune system (as indicated by immunoglobulin A) and sedative drug requirements during surgery (elective total hip joint replacement under spinal anesthesia with light sedation). This is the first study investigating this issue with a double-blind design using instrumental music. Methodology/Principal Findings: Patients (n = 40) were randomly assigned either to a music group (listening to instrumental music), or to a control group (listening to a non-musical placebo stimulus). Both groups listened to the auditory stimulus about 2 h before, and during the entire intra-operative period (during the intra-operative light sedation, subjects were able to respond lethargically to verbal commands). Results indicate that, during surgery, patients of the music group had a lower propofol consumption, and lower cortisol levels, compared to the control group. Conclusion/Significance: Our data show that listening to music during surgery under regional anesthesia has effects on cortisol levels (reflecting stress-reducing effects) and reduces sedative requirements to reach light sedation.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Listening to Recorded Music for Heart Failure Patients

“…17 The amygdala, hippocampus, the parahippocampal gyrus, and the temporal lobes are all influenced by relaxing music that reduces activity in these brain structures and thereby promotes reductions in both circulating cortisol levels [66][67][68][69][70][71] and in markers of physical and psychological stressors. 72 Listening to relaxing music can also reduce circulating adrenaline levels 61 and increase plasma levels of oxytocin and growth hormone. 73 A reduction of circulating cortisol levels will likely have beneficial effects on arterial function and blood pressure control via inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.…”

“…73 A reduction of circulating cortisol levels will likely have beneficial effects on arterial function and blood pressure control via inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. 74 In relation to the immunological system, listening to relaxing music can modulate the immune system through reductions in proinflammatory signals, associated with increased IgA and IgG levels 72,75,76 ; reduce the plasma levels of interleukins −4, −6, −10, −13, and tumor necrosis factor 61,62,77 ; increase natural killer cells 78 and CD8+ T cell expression 79,80 ; and decrease circulating histamine levels. 81 At the level of cognition, relaxing music positively influences perceptual information, declarative memory learning, memory recall and motor learning, 82 and may improve verbal learning and memory through its influence over the chunking mechanism and perceptual information processing.…”

“…98 Indeed, an increase in the tempo/rhythm of the listened music may increase the rate of cardiovascular parameters. 72,108 Therefore, music that will be chosen for the play list will be classical music, with meditative ambient sounds, played in a relaxing atmosphere. These soft, soothing, and calming sounds are designed to evoke tranquility and joy.…”

Avaliação de Músicas Compostas para Indução de Relaxamento e de seus Efeitos Psicológicos

“…A música pode proporcionar assim, uma sensação de bem-estar e alívio, cortando a cadeia de reações que ocorre devido a um evento estressante. A audição de músicas durante e após cirurgias tem se mostrado eficaz para a redução dos níveis de cortisol (Chanda, & Levitin, 2013;Koelsch et al, 2011), porém há controvérsias em relação à audição musical antes de um evento estressante (Koelsch et al, 2011;Thoma et al, 2013), indicando que os resultados da utilização da música para este fim possam depender também da cronologia dos acontecimentos (antes vs. durante vs. depois da condição estressante).…”

Effects of music intervention on anxiety and pain reduction in ambulatory maxillofacial and otorhinolaryngology surgery: a descriptive survey of 27 cases

“…Furthermore, opioids have sometimes negative side effects such as respiratory depression, vomiting, constipation... One promising but insufficiently understood nonpharmacologic approach to pain and anxiety after maxillofacial and ORL surgery is music therapy. Music has been associated with lower anxiety levels, reduction in analgesic requirements, reduction in anesthetic drugs and shorter procedure times during gastrointestinal procedures and hip surgery [3,4]. A 2011 randomized controlled study on music for surgical abortion care noted a trend toward a faster decline in anxiety post procedure in music group (p=0.065) [5].…”