A recent study evaluated the analgesic effect of music and audiobooks in children undergoing major surgical procedures.
The study recruited 60 patients between nine and 14 years-old who were undergoing major operations. After receiving a narcotic after surgery, the patients were split into three groups; one of which heard music of their choice, one hear stories of their choice, and one listened to silence with noise-cancelling headphones, according to a WFDD report.
Here are four key notes:
1. Researchers concluded audio therapy "is an efficacious adjunct method to decrease postsurgical pain in children undergoing major surgeries," and that it should be considered an important strategy to minimize postoperative pain in children.
3. Using a Faces Pain Scale, researchers found that children who listened to music or a book reduced their pain burden by 1 point, compared to children who listened in silence, reports WFDD.
3. Researcher Samantha Suresh, BS, told WFDD the findings are pertinent to children, as they do not handle pain medication as well as adults.
4. Lynn Webster, MD, former president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine told WFDD that music can "generate not only a focus and reduction in anxiety, but it can induce a feeling of euphoria."