Music During Surgery May Reduce Anaesthetic Use and Speed Recovery, New Indian Study Finds
New research from New Delhi reveals that playing calm instrumental music during general anaesthesia significantly reduces the amount of anaesthetic drugs needed and leads to smoother recoveries after gallbladder surgery.
A recent clinical trial conducted at Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital in New Delhi has demonstrated that playing soothing instrumental music during surgery can meaningfully reduce anaesthetic use and improve patient recovery. Published in the journal Music and Medicine, the study offers some of the clearest evidence yet that even under general anaesthesia, the unconscious brain can benefit from carefully curated auditory stimuli.
What the study did
- The researchers enrolled 56 adult patients (aged roughly 20–45 years) scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), a fast — typically under an hour — “keyhole” procedure.
- All patients received the same standard anesthetic regimen: a combination of anti-nausea medication, a sedative, the intravenous anaesthetic Propofol, a muscle relaxant, and the opioid painkiller Fentanyl.
- Every patient wore noise-cancelling headphones — but only half heard calming instrumental music (flute or piano) chosen by the patient; the control group heard no music.
Key Findings
- Lower drug consumption: Patients who listened to music required significantly less propofol — on average 6.7 mg per kilogram per hour, compared with 7.86 mg/kg/hr in the no-music group.
- Reduced need for opioids: The music group also needed fewer additional doses of fentanyl.
- Lower stress response: Postoperative levels of the stress hormone cortisol were substantially lower in the music-therapy group.
- Smoother recovery: Patients exposed to music woke up more comfortably and regained orientation more quickly; blood pressure and other vital signs remained more stable during surgery.
Why music — even under anaesthesia — might help
Though patients under general anaesthesia are unconscious, certain parts of the brain remain responsive to sound. The study authors note that auditory pathways may stay active and influence internal brain states even under sedation.
By engaging the brain with calming music, it appears possible to blunt the body’s neuroendocrine stress response to surgery — reducing hormone surges, preventing spikes in heart rate or blood pressure, and ultimately limiting the need for higher drug doses. This “non-pharmacological” intervention doesn’t interfere with standard care but rather complements it.
Implications for surgical care
Incorporating music therapy into operating rooms could be a simple, safe, and cost-effective way to:
- Reduce reliance on anaesthetic drugs and opioids.
- Minimize side effects and complications linked to overuse of sedatives and analgesics.
- Promote faster, clearer recoveries and possibly shorter hospital stays.
For patients, this could mean a more comfortable awakening and reduced postoperative grogginess. For health systems, using music as an adjunct could lower drug costs and improve overall perioperative care.
What’s next
The researchers call for larger trials across different types of surgeries and patient demographics to validate these findings. Standardizing music therapy protocols — including which genres, tempos, volume levels, and delivery methods — will be essential for broader adoption in clinical practice.
Conclusion: This Indian study shows that what might seem like “mere background music” can have a real physiological impact — even when patients are fully anaesthetised. By quietly modulating the unconscious brain, music can help reduce drug usage, dampen stress, and speed up recovery. As medicine moves toward more holistic, patient-centered care, auditory therapy may emerge as a powerful, low-cost supplement in operating theatres.
References
- Music eases surgery and speeds recovery, Indian study finds – BBC – (Accessed on Nov 26, 2025)
- Music eases surgery and speeds recovery, study finds – The Nation – (Accessed on Nov 26, 2025)
- Music Can Ease Surgery and Aid Faster Recovery, Finds Indian Study – Times Now – (Accessed on Nov 26, 2025)
