The effect of music on anxiety of patients undergoing coronary angiography

BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography is an invasive medical procedure that involves feelings of fear and anxiety. International studies have evaluated the effects of music intervention to reduce anxiety by using it before, during and after coronary angiography. However, the results of this strategy are not clear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of music, employed during the procedure, on anxiety of patients undergoing coronary angiography for the first time. METHODS: Outcomes were anxiety level measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory, heart rate and blood pressure, both measured by intra-arterial method. The study included 300 patients randomized between the control group (standard procedure) or music group (standard procedure with a music intervention). The researcher was blinded throughout the data collection and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Baseline variables were adequatly balanced between both groups, as well as data on musical habits and coronary angiography. No differences were observed between the control group and music group in any of the outcomes: level of anxiety (p = 0.072), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.379), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.152) and heart rate (p = 0.853). It was also noted that even before the procedure, 80.9% of the control group and 76.9% of the music group had low level of anxiety. Women were more anxious than men (p = 0.000 pre-test and p = 0.022 post-test). No relationship was found between anxiety and age (p = 0.352 pre-test, p = 0.198 post-test). CONCLUSION: The music used in this study during coronary angiography was not effective in reducing anxiety levels, blood pressure or heart rate in patients undergoing the procedure for the first time. It was also found that women are more anxious than men and that there was no relationship between anxiety levels and age.