Health · Medical Research · 1 hr ago
Favorite music linked to lower pain during needle procedures
Researchers at University Hospital Zürich in Switzerland studied whether music affected pain during an intravenous puncture, a procedure that inserts a small tube into a vein with a needle.
The procedure took place before patients had an MRI scan.
The 204 participants, aged 17 to 83, were assigned to hear Mozart, relaxation music, their favorite music, or no music.
Those who heard their favorite music reported less pain than the no-music group 30 seconds and two minutes after the puncture.
Among participants who already had pain, favorite music was also linked to lower pain immediately after the puncture.
Mozart was linked to lower pain two minutes afterward among participants with existing pain, but not across the whole group.
The study was not randomized, so the findings do not prove that music caused the difference.
The researchers say larger randomized studies, including more painful procedures, are needed to confirm the results.
A study found that adults listening to their favorite music reported less pain after intravenous puncture than those who heard no music.
The difference was significant at 30 seconds and two minutes after the procedure.
The study included 204 patients aged 17 to 83 who were scheduled for an MRI examination.
Researchers compared favorite music, Mozart, relaxation music and no music.
The researchers said larger randomized studies are needed to confirm the findings.
- Who
- Researchers at University Hospital Zürich studied 204 patients aged 17 to 83.
- What
- The study compared pain scores after intravenous puncture among patients who heard favorite music, Mozart, relaxation music or no music.
- When
- The study was published on October 13, 2026. Pain was assessed before and for two minutes after the puncture.
- Where
- University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
- Why
- Researchers investigated whether different types of music could change patients’ experience of pain during intravenous puncture.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers recorded participants’ baseline pain scores.
Researchers assessed pain again.
Researchers measured pain scores.
Researchers made the final reported pain assessment.
- Participants
- 204 patients aged 17 to 83
- Study groups
- Mozart, favorite music, relaxation music and no-music control
- Favorite music finding
- Lower pain scores than controls at 30 seconds and two minutes
- Study location
- University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland
- Publication date
- October 13, 2026
Sources
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