The effect of binaural beat audio on anxiety in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy: A prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an invasive procedure known to induce anxiety in patients. Binaural beat therapy, in which sounds of different frequencies are delivered to the 2 ears to entrain the brainwaves, has been used to reduce anxiety in some operations. This study aimed to determine the anxiolytic effects of binaural beat audio in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy. METHODS: Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive binaural beat music, plain music, or no music. They were asked to wear earphones starting approximately 15 minutes before the bronchoscopy. The level of anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Blood pressure, heart rate, and sedative drug administration were also recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve subjects were randomized into binaural beat music (n = 38), plain music (n = 38), and no music (n = 36) groups. The mean change in post-bronchoscopy State-Trait Anxiety Inventory state score in the binaural beat music, plain music, and no music group was −7.26 (P < .001), −3.92 (P = .005), and −1.12 (P = .454), respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased from baseline by −9.89 (P = .002) and −5.76 (P = .005), respectively, in the binaural group. The mean heart rate increased from baseline by 3.32 (P = .035), 5.21 (P = .038), and 3.64 (P = .149) in the binaural beat music, plain music, and no music groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Binaural beat music appeared to reduce anxiety among patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Trial registration: TCTR, TCTR20200915002. Registered 14 September 2020 - Retrospectively registered.