The Impact of Music Therapy in the Postoperative Setting on Overall Patient Satisfaction Using Validated Outcome Scores

Purpose: Previous studies have examined music therapy (MT) as a potential modality to relieve negative postoperative symptoms such as pain. This randomized control trial examined the use of MT on patient satisfaction in the postanesthesia care unit. Design: Fifty patients undergoing outpatient orthopaedic surgery were enrolled and randomized into two groups, those receiving MT postoperatively and a control group who did not. Methods: After hospital discharge, subjects were assessed with two validated outcome measurements for overall patient satisfaction, the visual analog satisfaction scale and the Patient Judgment of Hospital Quality survey. Findings: The results showed no statistically significant differences between the MT and control group on the Patient Judgment of Hospital Quality survey (MT = 3.42, standard therapy = 3.41, P = .94) and the visual analog satisfaction scale (MT = 91.20, standard therapy = 91.65, P = .88). Conclusions: MT given in the postoperative setting has no impact on overall patient satisfaction.