Effect of Listening to Intraoperative Hemispheric Synchronized Sounds on Postoperative Cognitive Function after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Hemispheric Sounds on Postoperative Cognition after CABG
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31584/psumj.2026285568Keywords:
cognitive, cardiac surgery, hemispheric synchronized sounds, painAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of listening to hemispheric synchronized sounds during surgery on postoperative cognitive function, delirium, and pain scores in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Material and Methods: This prospective, randomized study was conducted in Songklanagarind Hospital; from February 2021 to December 2022. A total of 70 patients having undergone CABG surgery, were divided into two groups: the “music” group (37 patients) and the control group (33 patients). In the operating room, all patients wore headphones connected to an MP3 player; hemispherical synchronization sounds were played in the music group, beginning immediately after sedation and continuing until the end of surgery. No sounds were played in the control group. Preoperative and postoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) 7, and Verbal Numerical Rating Scale pain scores were evaluated in all patients in the first 24 hr after extubation.
Results: Preoperative MMSE scores (26 [interquartile range, IQR: 24,28] vs. 27 [IQR: 23,29], p-value=0.78), postoperative MMSE scores (27 [IQR: 23,29] vs. 27 [IQR: 24,29], p-value=0.42), and CAM-ICU 7 scores (0 [0,1] vs. 0 [0,1], p-value=0.69) did not differ between the control and music groups. However, the maximum pain score (7.6 [1.2] vs. 5 [1.3], p-value<0.001) and postoperative opioid consumption (61.1 [11.8] vs. 31.9 [11.3], p-value<0.001) were higher in the control group than in the music group.
Conclusion: Listening to hemispheric synchronized sounds during an operation did not affect postoperative cognitive dysfunction and delirium. However, music therapy decreased the level of pain and the need for analgesic drug intake postoperatively.
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