Effect of Classical Music on Depth of Sedation and Induction Propofol Requirements in Dogs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Music therapy seems to exhibit beneficial properties for a variety of human medical conditions, with some benefits being reported even throughout the perioperative period. In accordance with the human literature, the responses of animals’ exposure to musical auditory stimuli as a means of environmental enrichment seem to be encouraging, but very little is known about the effect of music when used as an adjuvant to anaesthetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of classical music on the depth of sedation and propofol requirements for the induction of anaesthesia in 20 healthy dogs. Each dog was sedated three times, using a mild premedication protocol, and was exposed to Chopin, Mozart and no-music treatments for 90 min via loudspeakers, with a 3-month gap between each one of the three auditory interventions. The dogs’ exposure to classical music resulted in higher sedation scores and approximately 20% lower propofol dose requirements for the intubation of the trachea. This study proposes that music may prove a simple, safe and effective nonpharmacologic adjunct when used as part of a mild premedication protocol. ABSTRACT: The main objective of this prospective, randomized, blind, cross-over experimental study was to evaluate the effect of classical music on the depth of sedation and propofol requirements for the induction of anaesthesia in dogs. Twenty dogs were involved, and each was subjected to three different treatments with a 3-month gap: Chopin music, Mozart music, and no music, via loudspeakers. The dogs were premedicated with acepromazine and butorphanol by intramuscular injection, and anaesthesia was induced using propofol intravenously. To compare the depth of sedation and propofol requirements for the induction of anaesthesia among the different treatments, we utilized non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis test) for the depth of sedation due to a slight deviation from the normal distribution and parametric (ANOVA) for propofol requirements. When exposed to music (Chopin or Mozart), dogs exhibited deeper sedation and required less propofol for their intubation compared to the no-music treatment (p < 0.05). Exposure to classical music had a positive impact on the level of sedation, and more profound central nervous system depression seemed to contribute to approximately 20% lower propofol dose requirements for tracheal intubation. Therefore, classical music during the preoperative period appeared to exert a beneficial effect, at least when applying the specific pre-anaesthetic medications used in the present study.