The Effect of Listening to Music on Reducing Anxiety and Pain During Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy; A Randomized Controlled Study

Aim:Many patients experience anxiety during their first shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) experience. We investigated the effect of music therapy on anxiety and pain during SWL.Methods:This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial between June 2021 and December 2021. A total of 100 patients were evaluated prospectively. Fifty patients were assigned to each group using a simple randomization method. The study group was exposed to music therapy, while the control group was not exposed to it. Demographic data (age, gender, and body mass index), stone characteristics (size, location, and laterality), and SWL characteristics (SWL duration, energy, and number of shock waves) were recorded. The state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety, and the visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain. After the SWL, general patient satisfaction and willingness to repeat the procedure were evaluated.Results:Baseline STAI-state (STAI-S) and STAI-T values measured before SWL were similar between the groups (p=0.51 and p=0.46, respectively). STAI-S after SWL was statistically significantly lower in the music group (p=0.02). In the music group, satisfaction and willingness to repeat were higher, while the VAS was lower (p=0.04, p=0.03 and p=0.03, respectively).Conclusion:Music therapy during SWL is an inexpensive and effective method to reduce patient anxiety and the patient's perception of pain.