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M
y recent study
showed that music
can be just as effec-
tive as midazolam in calming
patients' nerves before they
receive peripheral nerve blocks
(osmag.net/8JuzQQ). Based on
those findings, patients who
arrive at our health system's
outpatient surgery center
receive disposable earphones
(they cost about $2 a piece) so
they can listen to personal
playlists on their cellphones or
tablets as they wait for surgery
or have nerve blocks placed.
Music lightens the emotional and
pleasure centers in the brain, and sends positive projections to the
hypothalamus, which slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure and
steadies breathing. This explains why some songs relax us or make us
remember a time or event that makes us feel less anxious. Letting
patients listen to their favorite music in pre-op is an effective alterna-
tive to sedatives for helping them remain calm during what's often a
nerve-wracking time in their care.
Veena Graff, MD, MS
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pa.
veena.graff@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
SOUNDS OF SEDATION
Help Patients Tune In to Tune Out
• EASY LISTENING Handing out disposable earphones in pre-op
lets patients access favorite playlists on personal devices.
Penn
Medicine
