The Effect of Jazz on Postoperative Pain and Stress in Patients Undergoing Elective Hysterectomy

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music on patients after surgery in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). For many patients, surgery creates significant emotional stress and anxiety which can include discomfort or pain. Music therapy has proven to be a useful adjuvant in various inpatient and outpatient settings by providing a relaxing effect that decreases heart rate, blood pressure, and hormonal measures of stress. It has been shown that classical music can cause physiological and psychological differences in patient outcomes, but few studies have looked specifically at effects of jazz music. Some have argued that jazz may be too involved to provide the same relaxed state as classical music, but this may be due in part to the type of jazz played for the patient. It is our hypothesis that slow jazz music by artists including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, etc. will reduce measures of stress and anxiety in patients in the PACU following surgery for hysterectomy (laparoscopic or robotic) to a greater extent than the control group. Jazz music or "no music" will be played through headphones to participants in the study post-surgically while they are in the PACU and measures of stress, anxiety, and pain will be monitored.

Patients will be identified the morning of surgery from the operating room schedule. The patients will be randomized to two groups: jazz music or no music. Head phones will be applied to all patients included in the study; in one group jazz music will be provided through the headphones. The second group no music will be played. Blood pressure will be monitored by a non-invasive blood pressure cuff at 5 minute intervals throughout the patient's stay in the PACU. Heart rate will be measured, using a pulse oximeter, at the same intervals as blood pressure. Before the patient leaves the PACU, she will be asked to rate her perception of her levels of pain and anxiety on scales that use a numeric scale of 1-10. The primary variable outcomes are: heart rate and mean blood pressure. Secondary outcomes include: perceived pain, anxiety, and level of relaxation. headphones will be used to deliver one of the following sounds to the patients: 1) jazz music (BPM<100) by artists including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, etc.; or 2) no music providing.

Jazz music will be played through headphones to post-surgical hysterectomy patients while they are in the post anesthesia care unit.

Jazz music from artists including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Dave Brubeck, etc. will be played through headphones for post-surgical hysterectomy patients while they are in the post anesthesia care unit.

Mean difference in heart rate from baseline measurement taken upon the patient's arrival to the PACU. Heart rate will be measured through pulse oximetry

Upon arrival in the PACU, patient will be asked to rate her level of anxiety using a numeric rating scale from 0-10 (0 indicates no anxiety while 10 indicates extreme anxiety). After wearing headphones for 30 minutes, with either jazz music or no music, the patient will reassess her anxiety level. The difference between the 30 minute score and the baseline will be calculated.

The patient will be asked to rate her level of pain using a numeric rating scale from 0-10 (0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates extreme pain). Baseline will be value upon entering PACU. The difference between the values at specific times and the baseline value will be calculated.

Inclusion Criteria: Undergoing elective hysterectomy (laparoscopic or robotic) ASA 1 or 2 Normotensive Normal heart rate Exclusion Criteria: Patient does not wish to participate in the study Deaf or hearing impaired patients Ear deformities or abnormalities Pre-existing diagnosis of anxiety disorder, depression, substance abuse, or any other psychiatric diagnoses