Novel Approach for Investigating the Effect of Music Therapy on Perioperative Anxiety and Postoperative Satisfaction in Elderly Patients Undergoing Lower-Limb Fracture Surgery Under Intravertebral Anesthesia: A Prospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the effect of music therapy on perioperative anxiety and postoperative satisfaction in elderly patients undergoing lower-limb fracture surgery with intravertebral anesthesia to address the increasing incidence of such fractures and related surgical stress. Methods: Conducted from February 2022 to June 2023, this prospective study involved 120 elderly patients at the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command. They were divided into the Music group (n = 60, receiving relaxing music during surgery) and the Control group (n = 60, no music). We measured preoperative and postoperative anxiety by using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) along with intraoperative hemodynamic parameters and patient satisfaction postsurgery. Results: Both groups maintained stable heart rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and mean arterial pressure. However, the Music group displayed significantly lower systolic blood pressure at the beginning of the operation (T5), 5 minutes after the operation (T6) and at the end of the operation (T9) than the Control group. After the surgery, the Music group had notably lower VAS-A scores and saliva cortisol levels, indicating reduced anxiety. Additionally, this group reported higher satisfaction levels. Conclusions: Music therapy notably reduced postoperative anxiety and improves patient satisfaction in elderly patients undergoing lower-limb fracture surgery with intravertebral anesthesia. These findings endorse music therapy as a beneficial, non-invasive, and cost-effective method to ameliorate perioperative stress and a complementary approach to traditional medical care in surgical settings.