The effect of preoperative music therapy on perioperative anxiety and cognitive functions in adult patients in Erzincan, Turkey: a cohort study

Background & objective: Perioperative anxiety affects 25-80% of all surgical patients. It has a negative impact on postoperative recovery, potentially increasing morbidity and mortality. The anxiolytic effects of music therapy are well recognized, but its cognitive implications are unknown. We examined the effects of 440 Hz and 432 Hz music therapy on pre-operative anxiety and cognitive functions in patients scheduled for surgery. Methodology: The study took place in the operating room of our hospital. Following ethical committee approval, the study was launched. It was a prospective observational study comprising 66 ASA I, II, and III patients, between the ages of 18 and 65, scheduled to undergo surgery. They were divided into three groups: Control Group (CG), music therapy at 440 Hz (MG440), and music therapy at 432 Hz (MG432). Music therapy was administered to MG440 and MG432, but not to CG. Patients took the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS). MoCA and BAS were assessed before surgery, one hour and at 24 hours following surgery. Results: In both groups, preoperative music therapy significantly reduced anxiety (P < 0.001). Anxiety levels following surgery were comparable in all groups. Postoperative one-hour cognitive performance in music therapy groups was lower than in controls (P < 0.001), but increased and became significantly higher than in the control group at 24 h (P < 0.001). There was no substantial difference between the 440 Hz and 432 Hz groups. Conclusions: Preoperative music therapy reduced anxiety; it initially lowered postoperative cognitive performance; nevertheless, within 24 hours, therapy groups had enhanced cognitive skills when compared to controls.