Intraoperative Meditation Music as an Adjunct to Subarachnoid Block for the Improvement of Postoperative Outcomes Following Cesarean Section: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Comparative Study

CONTEXT: Music therapy is a nonpharmacological modality which can provide promising results for postcesarean section recovery. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two types of intraoperative meditation music with control group on postcesarean section pain, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and psychological maternal wellbeing. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted on 189 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The inclusion criteria were the American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status classes 1E and 2E women aged over 18 years posted for emergency cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. The exclusion criteria were patients with hearing/ear abnormalities and psychiatric disorders. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups – soothing meditation music (M) group, binaural beat meditation music (B) group, and control (C) group – where no music was played. After intervention, data were collected and statistically analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student's t-test was applied for calculation of normative distribution and Mann–Whitney U-test for nonnormative distribution. Nominal categorical data between the groups were compared using Chi-squared test. P <0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: Both intraoperative meditation music groups had statistically significant less postoperative pain and anxiety and a better overall psychological wellbeing as compared to the control. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting across all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative meditation music as good adjunct to spinal anesthesia can improve a cesarean section patient's postoperative experience by reducing postoperative pain, anxiety, and psychological wellbeing.