A new study from Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi suggests that listening to music under general anesthesia can help patients recover faster after surgery and reduce the amount of medication required during the procedure.
Trial Conducted Over 11 Months
Researchers conducted an 11-month trial involving 56 adults aged 20 to 45 undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a standard keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder. During the operations, some patients were exposed to soft piano or flute music while under anesthesia.
Reduced Drug Use and Lower Stress Levels
The study found that patients who listened to music during surgery required lower doses of fentanyl and propofol, the anesthetic widely known for its association with Michael Jackson’s death.
These patients also showed reduced cortisol levels, a key indicator of stress, and had better blood pressure control throughout the procedure.
The Brain Responds Even When Unconscious
Dr. Sonia Wadhawan explained to the BBC that the auditory system remains active during anesthesia.
“The auditory pathway remains active even when you’re unconscious,” she said. “You may not remember the music, but the brain registers it.”
She added that although the patient is unconscious, the body still reacts to stress through changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone levels.
Faster Recovery and Fewer Side Effects
According to researchers, using fewer opioid painkillers could help patients wake up more quickly, maintain more stable vital signs, and experience fewer side effects, potentially allowing hospitals to discharge patients sooner.
A Step Toward Understanding the Unconscious Mind
Dr. Farah Husain told the BBC that this field of research is only beginning to uncover how the unconscious mind reacts to non-drug interventions.
“It’s a way of humanising the operating room,” she said.
The team also noted that if the unconscious brain can retain stressful experiences during surgery, it may also be capable of absorbing positive ones, suggesting broader potential applications for therapeutic sound.
You can read the study here.