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Music in surgery reduces anaesthetic needs, study finds
A new peer-reviewed study from Delhi's Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital reveals that patients undergoing gallbladder removal required lower doses of anaesthetic drugs-and recovered more quickly-when exposed to calming music during surgery, even while unconscious.
The experiment
Researchers focused on 56 adults aged 20 to 45 undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a routine keyhole procedure. All patients received the same five-drug anaesthetic regimen, including propofol and the opioid fentanyl. Half wore noise-cancelling headphones playing soft flute or piano music; the other half wore headphones with no audio.
Results showed the music group needed significantly less propofol and fentanyl, maintained steadier blood pressure, and exhibited lower cortisol levels-a marker of reduced stress-compared to the control group.
Why music works under anaesthesia
The study builds on evidence that the brain's auditory pathways remain partially active even during deep sedation. While patients recall nothing, their unconscious minds still register sound, influencing physiological responses.
"The auditory pathway stays active even when you're unconscious. You may not remember the music, but the brain registers it," said Dr. Sonia Wadhawan, director-professor of anaesthesia at Maulana Azad Medical College and study supervisor.
Dr. Sonia Wadhawan
Dr. Farah Husain, senior anaesthesia specialist and certified music therapist, noted that music's calming effect may blunt the body's stress response to intubation and surgical trauma, leading to smoother recoveries.
Implications for surgical care
The findings suggest a low-cost, drug-free method to improve patient outcomes. Reducing anaesthetic doses could minimize side effects like post-operative nausea and grogginess, while faster recoveries may shorten hospital stays.
"We're exploring how non-pharmacological tools like music can humanize the operating room," said Dr. Husain. The team plans further studies on music-aided sedation, potentially expanding its use in other procedures.
Broader context: Music in medicine
While music therapy has long been used in psychiatry and rehabilitation, its application in anaesthesia marks a novel intersection of art and clinical precision. The study adds to growing research on how sensory stimuli-even subconscious ones-can influence medical outcomes.
As hospitals seek ways to optimize recovery, interventions like this could redefine perioperative care, blending technology with holistic approaches.
