Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Music Therapy Shows Promise in Reducing Anesthetic Needs and Improving Surgical Outcomes
Imagine going for surgery.
Doctors sometimes use special sleep medicine called anesthesia to make sure you don't feel anything.
A new study found that playing music for people while they sleep during surgery helps them need less of that sleep medicine.
Even though the person is asleep and doesn't remember the music, their brain still listens!
The music helps calm their body, like taking a deep breath.
This means they have more stable blood pressure and don't get as stressed.
It’s like the music gives their body a little extra help to heal better and recover more smoothly.
Doctors think music therapy could be a helpful extra tool alongside regular medicine.
A study showed targeted music therapy reduced anesthetic needs by 15% during gallbladder removal surgery.
Patients receiving music therapy had more stable blood pressure and lower stress hormone levels.
Music therapy acts on the subconscious auditory pathway even under general anesthesia.
Music therapy is a non-pharmacological complementary tool, not a replacement for medical treatment.
To be more common in India, music therapy needs recognition as an allied health professional degree by the National Medical Commission.
- Who
- Researchers from Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, and patients undergoing surgery.
- What
- A study demonstrated that music therapy reduced the need for anesthetics and improved patient outcomes during gallbladder removal surgery, acting on the subconscious auditory pathway.
- When
- Recent study published in the journal Music and Medicine; historical references to music therapy date back to ancient Vedic texts (c. 4th century BCE) and Western references from 1789.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, with historical roots and development of music therapy also noted in the West (USA, Europe) and other parts of India.
- Why
- To investigate music therapy as a non-pharmacological tool to reduce anesthetic requirements, improve physiological stability, and enhance overall surgical outcomes.
Music Therapy as a Complementary Tool
Limitations of Music Therapy
Role in Treatment
Music Therapy as a Complementary Tool
Music therapy is a non-pharmacological technique that can be used as a complementary tool to enhance medical and psychological treatments, offering additional therapeutic benefits.
Limitations of Music Therapy
Music therapy can never be used to replace any form of medical or psychological treatment.
Potential for Negative Reactions
Music Therapy as a Complementary Tool
Personalized music therapy sessions, especially using non-lyrical, instrumental pieces, can help prevent triggering unpleasant memories.
Limitations of Music Therapy
In some patients, certain songs may trigger emotionally unpleasant memories, necessitating careful selection of music.
- Study Location
- Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi
- Study Focus
- Effect of music therapy on anesthetic requirements and patient outcomes during gallbladder removal surgery
- Study Participants
- 56 patients undergoing gallbladder removal surgery
- Key Finding 1
- Music therapy group needed 15% less propofol (anesthetic)
- Key Finding 2
- Music therapy group did not require additional painkillers (fentanyl)
- Key Finding 3
- Music therapy group had more stable blood pressure and lower cortisol levels
- Music Therapy Techniques
- Active (participatory) and receptive (listening), including song writing and improvisation