Under the harsh lights of an operating theatre in Delhi, a patient lies still, undergoing gallbladder surgery with gentle flute music soothing her unconscious mind. A recent study from Maulana Azad Medical College found that music played during general anesthesia can significantly decrease the need for anesthetic drugs and promote faster recuperation.
The research, published in the journal Music and Medicine, studied 56 adults undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Those exposed to soothing music during the procedure required lower doses of anesthetics like propofol and fentanyl, which resulted in smoother recoveries and better-managed vital signs.
Dr. Farah Husain, senior specialist in anesthesia and certified music therapist, emphasized that the auditory pathways remain active even under anesthesia. The unconscious mind still has areas that remain active. Music can influence the brain's internal state, leading to better post-operative outcomes, she stated.
With the study suggesting that comforting stimuli like music could mitigate the stress response common during surgeries, it highlights a potential paradigm shift in surgical protocols. Music therapy, traditionally used in different medical fields, is now being recognized in the precise and technical context of anesthesia.
The implications of this research could redefine how hospitals approach surgical well-being, paving the way for integrating such simple yet effective interventions in future anesthesia practices.
