Preoperative Music Therapy for Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Case Series

Music therapy has been a growing treatment within hospitals, but what about outpatient surgery? Surgery patients, especially children, can experience fear and anxiety before a procedure. Distraction techniques are particularly effective to help children manage their feelings before surgery. Gooding, Svedberg Yinger, and Iocono (2016) conducted a study to look into how effective music therapy can be for children in a pre-operative setting.

103 pediatric patients undergoing outpatient surgeries (including hernia repair, dental restoration, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and port-a-cath removal). Music therapy sessions occurred about 30-45 minutes before the surgery procedure and all sessions were provided by the same music therapist. Each music therapy session included an introduction, procedure prep/education (if appropriate), distraction techniques, emotional expression techniques, transition techniques (if appropriate), and closing. The music therapist provided accompaniment on guitar and encouraged anyone present (family, staff, and the patients) to play small percussion instruments, sing, and engage in musical games. The music provided by the music therapist were adapted to the individual needs and preferences of the clients.

There was a statistically significant difference in affect (from unpleasant to pleasant) after  patients participated in music therapy. In this retrospective study, children also showed more desirable behavior responses and lower levels of distress when in engaged in music therapy sessions. Patients also showed improvements in emotional expression and demonstrated reduced anxiety in response to music therapy. Patient satisfaction, from both the patient and their parents, also improved and parents mentioned feeling reduced stress and distraction when engaged in music therapy sessions.

This study is important, because it gives an inside look into music therapy sessions with pre-operative pediatric patients. While there was less statistically significant evidence produced from this study, it included quotes from parents and looked into specific instances of music therapy and the potential benefits. At times, it is easier to understand music therapy when detailed descriptions, quotes, and intervention protocols are provided. For more information on music therapy, please continue to www.centralohiomusictherapy.com or www.musictherapy.org.

Jessica Fletcher, MM, MT-BC

Gooding, L. F., Swedberg Yinger, O., & Iocono, J. (2016). Preoperative Music Therapy for Pediatric Ambulatory Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Case Series. Music Therapy Perspectives , 34, 191-199.