Exploring the effect of music therapy as intervention to reduce anxiety pre‐ and post‐operatively in CABG surgery: A quantitative systematic review

AIM: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may experience psychological complications, which can increase mortality. This review aims to explore the efficacy of music therapy as an intervention to reduce anxiety pre‐ and post‐operatively in CABG surgery. DESIGN: This was a quantitative systematic review registered in PROSPERO (REDACTED). METHODS: This review used the PECOD framework to identify quantitative questions. We systematically searched seven electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsycArticles, and PsycInfo) for articles published between 1 January 1992 and 13 July 2022. Studies were critically appraised, and the results of this systematic review yielded a narrative summary of the findings. RESULTS: Four randomized control trials and one quasi‐experimental study published in English were included in the review. Narrative analysis indicated that patients undergoing CABG who were assigned to the group receiving music therapy reported significantly reduced anxiety levels compared with controls who did not listen to music. In addition, music therapy can effectively be used as a non‐pharmacological intervention to manage anxiety pre‐ and post‐operatively in CABG surgery. No members of the public or patients were involved in the design or conduct of the study.