Music Under Anesthesia: A More Effective Calmer Than Some Medications

When an operation begins, medications are not the only thing that works. Even under anesthesia, the body still reacts to what is happening around it. Sounds, especially music, can influence this reaction. The link between anesthesia and music intrigues researchers, who discover that certain melodies calm the body better than certain traditional treatments.

What surgery does to the body

Even when anesthesia prevents the patient from feeling pain, the body remains vigilant. The operating room represents a stressful environment, where lights, noises and the intensity of the surgical procedure activate the sympathetic nervous system. This reaction leads to an increased release of cortisol, a hormone considered a biological marker of stress. It increases heart rate, blood pressure and can even disrupt recovery.

The study published by the newspaper The Independent reports that patients operated under general anesthesia retain sensitivity to sound stimuli. They can perceive certain auditory signals, even without conscious memory of them. This receptivity could serve as a channel to reduce physiological tension, particularly when medicinal resources are no longer sufficient to completely soothe the body.

Propofol, the main agent used to maintain unconsciousness, acts quickly, but it can cause side effects such as a drop in blood pressure, slower recovery or postoperative nausea. To counteract these reactions, anesthesiologists often use additional doses of painkillers such as fentanyl. Some patients also receive medications to stabilize their blood pressure or regulate their heart rate. The question that arises today is whether a non-pharmacological method can reduce this drug burden while improving the effectiveness of anesthesia.

When music accompanies anesthesia and soothes the body

This is precisely what an Indian team from Lok Nayak Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College studied. The study, published in the journal Music and Medicine, followed 56 adults who had their gallbladder removed under total intravenous anesthesia. Each patient wore noise-cancelling headphones. One group was listening to soft instrumental music, mainly flute and piano melodies composed from the Yaman and Kirwani ragas, known for their soothing tones. The other group heard nothing.

The results showed that patients exposed to music consumed an average of 6.7 mg of propofol per kilogram per hour, compared to 7.86 mg in the control group. The need for fentanyl was also significantly reduced. The data published in the study also details the impact on cortisol. After the operation, the group without music had an average level of 536 IU/ml, while the music group reached 417 IU/ml, which demonstrates a significantly calmer physiological response.

Researchers raise the possibility that music modulates the autonomic nervous system, reducing the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which causes the hemodynamic fluctuations observed during the procedure. They also suggest a role for endorphins and oxytocin, known for their relaxing effect. Waking up was also smoother in people who listened to music, with less agitation and better orientation.

Towards integrative medicine in the operating room

Science is increasingly interested in approaches capable of supporting traditional treatments without replacing them. Music occupies a special place, because it acts without contact, without pain and without side effects. It can be easily integrated into the operating room thanks to noise-cancelling headphones or suitable audio systems. It is also customizable, since patients can choose the music that suits them before the procedure.

For several years, it has been used in cancer services, palliative care or mental health to reduce anxiety or facilitate rehabilitation. The next step could be where we least expected it. In the operating room, it becomes a complement. It does not replace anesthesia, but it helps the body experience it better.

In the current medical context, where we seek to balance therapeutic effectiveness, reduction of drug doses and patient comfort, music appears as a discreet, but measurable tool. It does not transform the operation, it transforms the way in which the body goes through it.