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Music reduced stress for patients undergoing Mohs surgery
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ATLANTA — Patients who listened to self-selected music had reduced anxiety while undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery, especially those having the surgery for the first time, according to study data presented at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery’s annual meeting.
“This is applicable across the board. Any time a patient is coming in, they may have anxiety that may not necessarily be readily visible,” researcher Joseph F. Sobanko, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, told Healio.com. “This is a simple modality, but having patients select their own songs, artists, music, via the Internet or CDs within the office gives them the ability to relax [and] reduce anxiety levels.”
Joseph F. Sobanko
In a randomized, controlled trial, researchers studied 100 patients (67% men) undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) who were assigned to listen to music of their choice (n=50; mean age, 62.58 years) or to have surgery without music (control; n=50; mean age, 66 years). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate pre-operative anxiety. While waiting for the physician and during the first stage of MMS, patients in the music group were invited to listen to music of their choice. Duration of listening was 15 to 60 minutes. Patients in the nonmusic group were managed the same as the music group, but listened to no music at any time. All patients completed STAI and VAS forms after the first stage of the surgery.
In the control group, 23 patients had never been treated with MMS; 27 patients previously had undergone the surgery. In the music group, 27 patients had never had MMS, and 23 previously had undergone the surgery. There was a significant decrease in STAI and VAS mean scores in the music group compared with controls (STAI, 9.86 vs. 3.40, respectively; VAS, 3.20 vs. 0.66, respectively; P<.001). STAI mean score (12.59 vs. 6.65; P=.003) and VAS mean score reductions (4.10 vs. 2.13; P<.001) were significantly larger in subjects undergoing MMS for the first time. Gender or skin cancer type had no significant correlation with anxiety measures.
“It’s a very simple thing to do; it’s inexpensive and consistent with what’s been shown in other medical specialties,” Sobanko said. “This is the first time a study like this has been done within Mohs surgery. Hopefully, additional ones will be done to support it.
“If you don’t have music, patients have a high anxiety level, and that anxiety level stays at that level. The key is having them select their own music. If you are just playing music they may not like, their anxiety levels may actually increase.”
For more information:
- Sobanko J. “Music Reduces Patient Anxiety During Mohs Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Presented at: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery 2012 Annual Meeting; Oct.11-15, Atlanta.
Disclosure: Joseph F. Sobanko serves as a consultant for Allergan.