Surgical Breakthrough: Music Eases Anesthesia

Indian doctors have found that playing music during surgery can improve patients’ condition and reduce the amount of anesthesia required. The study was conducted at Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi and published in the journal Music and Medicine.

During laparoscopic gallbladder removal, 56 patients participated in the study, with some listening to soft music (flute or piano) through headphones during the operation. Researchers noted that even under general anesthesia, the brain’s auditory pathways remain partially active.

In the group exposed to music:

• Doses of propofol and fentanyl were reduced,

• Blood pressure remained stable,

• Recovery was faster and clearer,

 • Levels of the stress hormone cortisol were lower.

The researchers say music helps reduce pre- and intraoperative stress, facilitating a smoother recovery process.

Experts believe this approach could be widely adopted in future surgical practice.