Music for Procedural Anxiety

This trial explores whether listening to calming music during a nail biopsy can reduce pain and anxiety. Patients will either listen to a soothing music playlist (music intervention) or receive standard care without music during their procedure. Afterward, they will complete surveys about their pain and anxiety levels. The researchers aim to determine if music can make the nail biopsy experience more comfortable. Individuals scheduled for a nail biopsy at the Weill Cornell Medicine dermatology clinic who can hear and understand English may be suitable for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance patient comfort during medical procedures.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research has shown that listening to music during medical procedures is generally safe and well-received by patients. Studies have found that music can significantly reduce anxiety, fear, and pain in various medical settings. For example, one study found that patients who listened to music felt much less anxious than those who did not. Another study noted that music can also lower pain and stress hormones in the body.

Researchers are excited about using a music intervention to manage procedural anxiety because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to typical anxiety treatments like sedatives or anti-anxiety medications. Unlike traditional methods, this approach uses calming music to create a soothing environment, potentially reducing anxiety and discomfort during procedures like nail biopsies. This method is easy to implement and carries no risk of side effects, making it an appealing option for both patients and healthcare providers looking for safer ways to manage anxiety during medical procedures.

Research has shown that listening to music can greatly reduce anxiety and pain for people undergoing medical procedures. In this trial, participants in the music intervention arm will listen to a standardized playlist of instrumental, classical, or relaxing music during their nail biopsy procedure. Studies indicate that relaxing music can sometimes ease anxiety even more effectively than medication. A review of several studies found that music helped lower anxiety and pain in adults undergoing surgery. Another study found that music therapy effectively reduced anxiety and pain in children during medical procedures. These findings suggest that music offers a simple and affordable way to make medical procedures more comfortable by reducing anxiety and pain.¹⁵⁶⁷⁸