Effects of music on blood pressure of patients in endoscopy unit

Abstract

Introduction: Today, endoscopy is very a efficient but invasive gastrointestinal diagnostic method that can be frightening and painful. Common physiologic reaction to this method is anxiety resulting in an increase in blood pressure. Previous studies have indicated that patients may benefit from music, which reduces pain and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of music on patients' anxiety by checking their blood pressure. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and t-test were used to compare differences in SPSS soft ware.

Methods: This study was an experimental clinical trial carried out in Bouali Hospital in Ardabil in 2004. Subjects were eligible for the study if they were going to do endoscopic or colonoscopic examinations for the first time, they were 30-60 year-old and did not have any cardiac diseases or hypertension. They were randomly assigned into two groups. One group listened to music and the other one did not.

Results: Study results indicated that patients who listened to music had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and higher oxygen saturation than the control group but the differences were not statistically significant. The findings also showed that patients who had colonoscopy had higher blood pressures compared to the patients who had endoscopy.

Conclusion: Slow music had a positive effect on blood pressure decrease, oxygen saturation increase, patients' tolerance of procedure, cooperation and reduction of procedure time in the experimental group.