The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Music therapy (MT) is a recognized modality for pain and anxiety reduction. Although its efficacy has been demonstrated in various clinical settings, its application in emergency departments (ED) remains controversial. This study aims to study the effects of MT in reducing pain a...

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Main Authors: Chuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat, Panatsaya Detsurang, Piraya Vichiensanth, Phanorn Chalermdamrichai, Arrug Wibulpolprasert, Natsinee Athinartrattanapong, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Natee Chiengchana, Wiputh Kehasuwan, Gritsada Huncharoen, Kanokkan Pothilert, Preedaporn Thipnangrong, Sirinat Loungnarin, Chaiyaporn Yuksen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00878-4
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author Chuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat
Panatsaya Detsurang
Piraya Vichiensanth
Phanorn Chalermdamrichai
Arrug Wibulpolprasert
Natsinee Athinartrattanapong
Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
Natee Chiengchana
Wiputh Kehasuwan
Gritsada Huncharoen
Kanokkan Pothilert
Preedaporn Thipnangrong
Sirinat Loungnarin
Chaiyaporn Yuksen
author_facet Chuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat
Panatsaya Detsurang
Piraya Vichiensanth
Phanorn Chalermdamrichai
Arrug Wibulpolprasert
Natsinee Athinartrattanapong
Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
Natee Chiengchana
Wiputh Kehasuwan
Gritsada Huncharoen
Kanokkan Pothilert
Preedaporn Thipnangrong
Sirinat Loungnarin
Chaiyaporn Yuksen
author_sort Chuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Music therapy (MT) is a recognized modality for pain and anxiety reduction. Although its efficacy has been demonstrated in various clinical settings, its application in emergency departments (ED) remains controversial. This study aims to study the effects of MT in reducing pain and anxiety among patients visiting the ED with pain complaints. Methods A single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, from July 2023 to September 2024. During each month of the study period, three days were randomly selected for the MT group, and another three days were designated for the non-MT group. All participants received standard analgesia and completed pre- and post-session questionnaires to assess pain, anxiety, satisfaction, and ED service quality before and one hour after analgesia. The MT group received MT sessions, each lasting 30–40 min. Results Sixty-three patients participated (31 MT group, 32 control group). The MT group showed a significant reduction in pain scores of 1.52 points compared to 0.09 in the non-MT group (p 0.002). Anxiety score was also significantly reduced in the MT group by 1.87 points compared to 0.44 points in the non-MT group (p 0.026). The most significant improvements were observed in non-trauma-related pain and anxiety. Satisfaction scores increased in both groups (0.48 vs. 0.47 points; p 0.946), with no significant difference. However, MT significantly improved perceived ED service quality (0.98 vs. 0.10 points; p 0.001). Conclusion In this study, we found that music therapy, when combined with standard analgesia, effectively reduced pain and anxiety in patients presenting to the ED, particularly those with non-trauma-related pain. Clinical trial number TCTR20231109003. Registration site Thai Clinical Trials Registry. URL: https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20231109003 . Date of approval: 20 June 2023.
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series International Journal of Emergency Medicine
spelling doaj-art-8aa4f8ea550848c18e9742d2dd61009d2025-08-20T02:16:56ZengBMCInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine1865-13802025-04-011811910.1186/s12245-025-00878-4The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trialChuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat0Panatsaya Detsurang1Piraya Vichiensanth2Phanorn Chalermdamrichai3Arrug Wibulpolprasert4Natsinee Athinartrattanapong5Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen6Natee Chiengchana7Wiputh Kehasuwan8Gritsada Huncharoen9Kanokkan Pothilert10Preedaporn Thipnangrong11Sirinat Loungnarin12Chaiyaporn Yuksen13Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityCollege of Music, Mahidol UniversityCollege of Music, Mahidol UniversityCollege of Music, Mahidol UniversityNursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityNursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityNursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol UniversityAbstract Background Music therapy (MT) is a recognized modality for pain and anxiety reduction. Although its efficacy has been demonstrated in various clinical settings, its application in emergency departments (ED) remains controversial. This study aims to study the effects of MT in reducing pain and anxiety among patients visiting the ED with pain complaints. Methods A single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, from July 2023 to September 2024. During each month of the study period, three days were randomly selected for the MT group, and another three days were designated for the non-MT group. All participants received standard analgesia and completed pre- and post-session questionnaires to assess pain, anxiety, satisfaction, and ED service quality before and one hour after analgesia. The MT group received MT sessions, each lasting 30–40 min. Results Sixty-three patients participated (31 MT group, 32 control group). The MT group showed a significant reduction in pain scores of 1.52 points compared to 0.09 in the non-MT group (p 0.002). Anxiety score was also significantly reduced in the MT group by 1.87 points compared to 0.44 points in the non-MT group (p 0.026). The most significant improvements were observed in non-trauma-related pain and anxiety. Satisfaction scores increased in both groups (0.48 vs. 0.47 points; p 0.946), with no significant difference. However, MT significantly improved perceived ED service quality (0.98 vs. 0.10 points; p 0.001). Conclusion In this study, we found that music therapy, when combined with standard analgesia, effectively reduced pain and anxiety in patients presenting to the ED, particularly those with non-trauma-related pain. Clinical trial number TCTR20231109003. Registration site Thai Clinical Trials Registry. URL: https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20231109003 . Date of approval: 20 June 2023.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00878-4Music therapyPain managementAnxiety reductionEmergency department
spellingShingle Chuenruthai Angkoontassaneeyarat
Panatsaya Detsurang
Piraya Vichiensanth
Phanorn Chalermdamrichai
Arrug Wibulpolprasert
Natsinee Athinartrattanapong
Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen
Natee Chiengchana
Wiputh Kehasuwan
Gritsada Huncharoen
Kanokkan Pothilert
Preedaporn Thipnangrong
Sirinat Loungnarin
Chaiyaporn Yuksen
The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Music therapy
Pain management
Anxiety reduction
Emergency department
title The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial
title_full The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial
title_short The effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department: a randomized controlled trial
title_sort effect of music therapy on treating patients pain and anxiety in emergency department a randomized controlled trial
topic Music therapy
Pain management
Anxiety reduction
Emergency department
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00878-4
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