Music Therapy During Surgery Speeds Recovery, Indian Study Shows
A patient lies on the operating table in Delhi as surgeons prepare to remove her gallbladder. She is fully unconscious under general anaesthesia. However, soft flute music flows gently through her headphones. The music reaches the parts of her brain that stay active even during deep sleep. As a result, she needs fewer drugs and wakes up more clearly.
That is exactly what a peer-reviewed study from Maulana Azad Medical College suggests. The research, published in Music and Medicine, shows how music during surgery can reduce drug use and support smoother recovery. The team studied adults undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder removal, a short procedure that demands quick and alert awakening.
How Music Supports Anaesthesia
Modern anaesthesia uses several drugs to keep patients comfortable, asleep and pain-free. Doctors often combine these medicines with nerve blocks to control pain and reduce stress. Even so, the body reacts to surgery with spikes in heart rate, hormones and blood pressure. Therefore, managing this response is essential for faster healing.
One major stress trigger comes from inserting the breathing tube. Although patients stay unaware, their bodies still respond strongly. Doctors rely on fast-acting drugs like propofol to control these reactions. However, high doses can delay recovery. This is where music offers a helpful boost.
What the Study Found
Researchers tested 56 patients over 11 months. Everyone wore noise-cancelling headphones, but only half heard music. These patients chose calming flute or piano tracks. The findings were clear. Music during surgery lowered the need for propofol and fentanyl. It also helped maintain stable vital signs and reduced stress hormone levels. In addition, patients woke up faster and felt more settled.
The study suggests that even an unconscious mind can register soothing sounds. Therefore, music may help humanise surgical care. As new studies begin, one message stands out: gentle music can support healing, even when the body rests in silence.
