EFFECT OF RELAXATION MUSIC ON PATIENT TOLERANCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES

The use of relaxation music as an adjunct to sedation has not been wel l studied. We tried to determine whether the use of relaxation music c an improve patient tolerance of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures . Fifty-nine patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure s were randomly assigned to receive either relaxation music (n = 28) o r no music (n = 31) using headphones and a portable compact disc playe r. Patient anxiety before the procedure, tolerance of the procedure, a nd willingness to undergo a repeated procedure were self-assessed usin g a visual analog scale. Patient tolerance was also assessed by the as sisting nurse. There was no significant difference in the overall tole rance score between the two groups. However, a significantly higher pr oportion of patients described the experience of a gastrointestinal en doscopic procedure as being at least moderately unpleasant in the no-m usic group. Patient acceptance of the relaxation music was high: 82% i n the group stated they would have music again if they required anothe r procedure. We conclude that, even in patients who have sedation, rel axation music can reduce the number who find the experience of gastroi ntestinal endoscopic procedures unpleasant. Therefore we believe it ha s a role as an adjunct to sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopic proc edures.