Effects of tibetan music on neuroendocrine and autonomic functions in patients waiting for surgery: A randomized, controlled study

Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the e+ects of listening to Tibetan music on anxiety and endocrine, autonomic, cognitive responses in patients waiting for urologic surgery. Methods. Sixty patients waiting for surgery were enrolled to the study. &ey were randomized in music (M) and control (C) groups. &e M group listened to a low-frequency Tibetan music for 30 min (T0-T30) through headphones, and the C group wore headphones with no sound. &e State Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (STAI) Y-1 was administered at T0 and T30. Normalized low (LFnu) and high frequencies (HFnu) of heart rate variability, LF/HF ratio, and galvanic skin response (GRS) data were analyzed at T0, T10, T20, T30, and T35. &esalivary amylase (sAA) samples were collected at T0, T35, and T45. Results. In the M group, the STAI Y-1 score decreased at T30 versus baseline (p < 0.001), sAA levels decreased at T35 versus T0 (p 0.004), and GSR remained unchanged. In the C group, the STAI Y-1 score remained unchanged, sAA level increased at T35 versus T0 (p < 0.001), and GSR slightly increased at T35 versus baseline (p 0.359). LFnu was lower, and HFnu was signi@cantly higher (T10-T30) inMversus C group. Mean LF/HF ratio slightly reduced in theMgroup. Conclusions. Our results suggest that preoperative listening to relaxing Tibetan music might be a useful strategy to manage preoperative anxiety.