The efficacy of music as a non-pharmacological intervention in the endoscopy setting: a literature review

Abstract

Background: Music has been demonstrated to have therapeutic effects for relaxation and pain management in various healthcare settings. However, this practice has not been adopted in the UK in the endoscopy environment. Music as an intervention could potentially lower pain thresholds, promote anxiolysis, reduce sedation and enhance the patient experience. Aims: The study aimed to identify, analyse and discuss existing knowledge on the topic of music medicine as an intervention in the endoscopy setting and to expose gaps in previous research and form recommendations for future research. Methods: Iterative searching of electronic databases, hand searches and grey literature searches were employed, following inclusion/exclusion criteria to identify relevant studies. Studies were then thematically analysed and themes identified. Findings: The search identified 11 relevant studies, with emergent themes of anxiety, patient satisfaction, sedation/analgesia, choice of music and procedure times. Conclusions: This literature review showed that music is a safe therapeutic intervention. It has the potential to act as an anxiolytic, reducing amounts of sedation or even replacing sedation in some cases. Patient satisfaction and experience can be enhanced, reducing DNA rates and encouraging greater uptake of repeat procedures.