Indian Study Reveals Music's Positive Impact on Surgical Recovery

Tue Nov 25 2025 18:36:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent study conducted in Delhi suggests that playing music during general anaesthesia can reduce drug requirements and improve recovery times for surgical patients.

A groundbreaking study from India's Maulana Azad Medical College demonstrates that playing music for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery can significantly lower the dosages of anaesthetic drugs needed. Patients who listened to calming music during surgery experienced smoother recoveries, reduced stress hormone levels, and better blood pressure control. The findings suggest that auditory stimulation can have positive effects on the brain, even during unconsciousness, paving the way for a new perspective on patient care in surgical settings.

Under the harsh lights of an operating theatre in Delhi, a woman lies motionless as surgeons prepare to remove her gallbladder.

She is under general anaesthesia: unconscious and insensate due to a combination of drugs that promote deep sleep, block pain, and temporarily paralyse her muscles.

Yet, amidst the monitoring equipment and the actions of the surgical team, soft flute music flows through headphones placed over her ears.

Even in this deep state, her brain's auditory pathways remain active, allowing her to regain consciousness more swiftly due to needing lower doses of anaesthetic drugs than those who do not listen to music.

This assertion is supported by a peer-reviewed study from Delhi's Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, published in the journal Music and Medicine, indicating that music during anaesthesia can significantly decrease drug usage and enhance recovery.

The research focused on patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a quick procedure requiring rapid recovery. Our goal is early discharge after surgery, says Dr. Farah Husain, senior specialist in anaesthesia. Patients need to wake up clear-headed, alert, and ideally pain-free. Better pain management helps curb the stress response.

The study involved a full trial of 56 adults, randomly assigned to receive either music or silence during procedures. The results revealed those exposed to music needed lesser amounts of propofol and fentanyl, and exhibited improved recovery metrics, including lower stress hormone levels.

Dr. Wadhawan notes, The auditory pathway remains active even when you're unconscious. You may not remember the music, but your brain registers it, emphasizing the significance of these findings.

These insights suggest a new approach to patient care in surgical settings, where the integration of music as an inexpensive and easily implementable strategy could enhance recovery outcomes.