Music listening alleviates anxiety and physiological responses in patients receiving spinal anesthesia. Author: Lee WP1, Wu PY2, Lee MY3, Ho LH4, Shih WM5 Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taiwan. <sup>2</sup>Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Hsin Sheng Junior College of Medical Care and Management, Taiwan. <sup>3</sup>Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Department of Nursing, Taiwan. <sup>4</sup>Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. <sup>5</sup>Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan. Electronic address: jeanshih168@frontier.com. Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Med. Date published: 2017 Apr Other: Volume ID: 31 , Pages: 8-13 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.12.006. Epub 2017 Jan 7. , Word Count: 222 OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of listening to music on the anxiety levels and physiological responses of surgical patients receiving spinal anesthesia. METHODS: An experimental design was used in the study with an experimental group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). The experimental group received 30min of musical intervention and routine nursing care in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) while the control group received only routine nursing care. RESULTS: The study found significant differences in both anxiety and physiological indices between the two groups. The mean score of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in the study group decreased from a pre-test score of 59.0 to a post-test score of 31.20 (t=28.63, p<0.001). Physiological indices such as heart rate (t=2.61, p=0.012), respiration rate (t=2.29, p=0.026), systolic blood pressure (t=2.30, p=0.026), and diastolic blood pressure (t=3.02, p=0.004) decreased significantly as well. Control group was not seeing significant changes from pre-op values. CONCLUSION: Listening to music while in the recovery room may decrease the level of anxiety in surgical patients receiving spinal anesthesia. The results of this study can serve as a reference for PACU nurses in utilizing music listening programs to achieve the goal of holistic care. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Anxiety; Listening; Music; Physiological responses; Spinal anesthesia PMID: 28434475 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.12.006