A woman lies motionless under the harsh lights of an operating theatre in Delhi, where surgeons prepare to remove her gallbladder. Although she is under general anaesthesia, the gentle sound of flute music flows through her headphones, providing a soothing backdrop to the procedure.
Research conducted by Delhi's Maulana Azad Medical College, published in the journal Music and Medicine, suggests this practice might significantly enhance surgical recovery. Patients exposed to music during laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeries were found to require lower doses of anaesthetics and experienced quicker recessions from anesthesia.
According to Dr. Farah Husain, a senior anaesthesia specialist involved in the study, music can quieten the internal stressors the body experiences during surgery. Traditionally, surgeries rely on a complex cocktail of anaesthetic drugs to manage pain, memory and muscle paralysis. In this study, subjects who listened to music also demonstrated reduced stress hormone levels and steadier blood pressure.
Dr. Tanvi Goel, the primary investigator, highlighted the importance of early patient discharge following surgeries and the necessity for clear-headed recoveries with manageable pain levels. Implementing music therapy in surgical procedures represents a paradigm shift toward more humane and holistic approaches to patient care.
The findings pave the way for further exploration of music as a complementary treatment in surgical practices, reinforcing the notion that even in moments of unconsciousness, the human mind remains responsive to positive stimuli. With ongoing research, music may not just fill operating rooms but also redefine recovery protocols for future surgeries.
