GASTROSCOPY TO MUSIC

As part of a project ''Music therapy in internal medicine'' we investi gated 32 consecutive patients undergoing gastroscopy for various reaso ns. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups, regardless of sex, age or underlying disease. One groupe listened to music during gastros copy, while the other did not. The choice of the type of music within the corresponding group was made with the patient and a trained music therapist in a short discussion prior to gastroscopy. The hormones ACT H and cortisol, as well as the catecholamines adrenalin and noradrenal in, were measured in both groups with three blood samples taken before , directly after and one hour after gastroscopy. Parallel measurements included blood pressure and pulse rate as well as questions about the patients' feelings during gastroscopy. The study showed the rise in t he plasma levels of the stress hormones ACTH and cortisol to be signif icantly lower under the influence of music. The subjective feelings of the patients concerning ''fear in general'' and ''fear about gastrosc opy'' paralleled these findings. Conversely, the plasma adrenalin and noradrenalin levels before and after gastroscopy were virtually unchan ged in both groups, as were pulse rate and blood pressure. This study shows the influence of music on human biochemical parameters when used in the setting of a diagnostic procedure.