Effects of Turkish Classical Music on Postpartum Pain and Anxiety in Cesarean Deliveries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT

In recent years, delivery via cesarean section (C-section) has been one of the most frequent, major surgical interventions in the world. Reducing post-cesarean delivery-related pain and good pain management are important as is reducing mothers' anxiety.

OBJECTIVE

The study intended to determine the effects of music therapy on levels of postpartum pain and anxiety in women who delivered via cesarean section.

DESIGN

The randomized controlled trial was conducted with power analysis for a type-I error rate of α:0.05, type-II error rate of β:0.20, representative power of 0.80, and effect size of 0.62.

SETTING

The study took place at a tertiary hospital in a provincial center in Turkey.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 126 women who were hospitalized at the hospital between February 2018 and October 2018 and who delivered via C-section.

INTERVENTION

The participants were allocated to three groups with 42 women each. Intervention groups 1 and 2 listened to music once a day and twice a day, respectively, whereas the control group was given routine care for 2 consecutive days.

OUTCOME MEASURES

A visual analog scale (VAS) on pain and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI TX-1) were used to collect the data.

RESULTS

The anxiety scores and pain levels were reduced in the intervention groups in comparison to the control group (P < .001). The anxiety scores weren't significantly different between the 2 intervention groups (P > .05), and the pain levels on the second day in intervention group 2 were lower than those of intervention group 1 (P < .05). While the pain levels were reduced in all groups (P < .001), the anxiety scores increased in the control group on the second day (P < .05) and decreased in the 2 intervention groups (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Music therapy can play an effective role in reducing pain and anxiety levels.