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 postcesarean 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.