Music on the Operating Room

Posted: May 20th, 2006

"We trust that the magic of sound, scientifically applied, will contribute in ever greater measure to the relief of human suffering, to a higher
development and a richer integration of the human personality, to the harmonious synthesis of all human "notes" of all "group chords and
melodies" - until there will be the greater symphony of the One Humanity."
Roberto Assagioli M.D.

Music can be employed as assistance in obtaining physical, emotional and spiritual health. During the first half of the nineties, I investigated
the therapeutic consequences of distinct types of music on patients under adequate anaesthesia. This investigation was done in Johannesburg
at the Garden City Clinic, over a period of four years (1991-1995), with statistics done at the Witwatersrand university, by dr. Jackie Galpin.

Data available on investigations done to test the therapeutic benefits of music, would fill a library of its own. That was not what was done.
The effect of music with a known therapeutic value, was investigated on patients under adequate anaesthesia - testing for reduction in pain
levels and a shorter recovery period. It is an accepted dictum in psychology that people in a deep sleep, coma or under anaesthesia can hear
(not remember). That the auditory pathways up to the auditory cortex actually remain open and untouched by anaesthesia. That you can talk
to people in a coma or undergoing surgery, and that the body would respond to whatever was said. In many hospitals, positive suggestions are
given to patients in a coma and on the operating table. The capital aim of the project was to test music to serve as a credible alternative for the
positive verbal suggestions.

Music has powerful effects on people, whether they are educated in music or not. Wertheim (1961) states that "muscle perception and
performance is an inborn capacity of the human brain. This ability is common among human beings and is independent of education or
culture....." This makes the application of music as a therapy, or music as an aid to any other therapy, very simple.

Science, Medicine and Anthropology have completed many years of investigation on the effect of music on the physical body. As early as
1830, articles were published by J. Dogiel, which outlined experiments done to affirm music's dynamic effect on the body. Absolute
physiological reactions were established, and amongst other things, it was proved that music act on the circulation of blood, and can cause
blood pressure to rise and fall. According to this, these alternations of pressure rely mainly on the influence which auditory stimulation has on
the medulla oblongata and the auditory nerve.

During the first half of the previous century, many investigators throughout Europe agreed that music increases metabolism in a very
adequate way, and that it changes muscular energy and enhances respiration.

The positive effects of music on physical and psychological health are truly widespread. In an article on music as cause of disease and
healing agent, Assagioli (1965) states that "through its influence upon the subconscious, music can have a still more definite and specific
healing effect of a psychoanalytic character. If of an appropriate kind, it can help in eliminating repression and resistance and bring into the
field of waking consciousness many drives, emotions and complexes which were creating difficulties in the subconscious".

It is known that certain kinds of music have the ability to reduce pain, whether it is physical or emotional. Scarantino (1987) states that
"Pythagoras of Samos taught his students that certain musical sequences, chords and melodies produced definite responses in the human
organism, and could change behaviour patterns that accelerated healing processes"

In a further discussion Scarantino states "In the 1970's, Bulgarian researchers, under the direction of Dr. Georgi Lazanov, discovered a
holistic approach to learning, that allows the body and mind to work in harmony through the linking of music and verbal suggestions....
While listening to largo movements from works of Baroque era composers, with tempos slower than the average heartbeat (sixty beats per
minute or slower), the vital signs of test subjects slows down in rhythm with the music, relaxing them physically but leaving their minds alert
for the assimilation of information. When the various educational data was presented to the students while the music played in the
background, the students experienced significant increases in awareness and retention of information and a whole repertoire of health
benefits, including relief from pain and headaches....."

Relief of physical pain and stress was also observed during the investigation at the Garden City Clinic, Johannesburg. A double blind
experiment was performed to investigate the effect of four different genres of music on the pain, discomfort and recovery levels of patients
undergoing total abdominal hysterectomies and laparotomies, and it was found that patients who received music had lower pain- and stress
levels, specifically with the use of Mozart's piano concertos.

Baroque Music (1600-1750) - Music of this period is characterized by neatness and precision. Composers were highly influenced by the strict
rules of Pythagorean principles and harmony. Their philosophy was that music is the bridge that links all things in the universe.
Well known composers from this era are: Bach, Händel, Vivaldi, Teleman and Corelli.

Classical Music (1750-1825) - During the 18th century a movement called "The Age of Reason" began amongst philosophers such as
Voltaire, Locke and Jefferson, who believed that the world could be controlled through reason and science. During this period it was believed
that there had to be a reason for everything, and an all-over simplicity was sought that was not known in earlier centuries. The Classical
period in music tends to be associated with this movement, and composers perfected the forms of classical music such as the sonata,
symphony and concerto. Music from this period tends to be "easier listening" for the musically unsophisticated.
Well known composers from this era are: Mozart and Haydn.

Romantic Music (1825-1900) - Composers from this era wanted to overwhelm their listeners and wanted to "melt their hearts". The main
focus was on the melody and the romantic themes tended to be lyrical.
Well known composers from this era are: Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.

COMBINING MUSIC AND DEEP BREATHING

Relax by breathing deeply while you sit in an upright position with closed eyes. Listen to the music of any of the above-mentioned
composers, especially the slow movements of concertos from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras. Remain in this meditative-position
for as long as desired.
The combination of breath- and music therapy provides a powerful tool in establishing the physical and emotional health of the individual.
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/music-on-the-operating-room-29511.html
Surgical Errors Remain a Challenge in and out of the Operating Room

ScienceDaily (Nov. 17, 2009) — Despite a national focus on reducing surgical errors, surgery-related adverse events continue to occur
both inside and outside the operating room, according to an analysis of events at Veterans Health Administration Medical Centers
published in the November issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

An estimated five to 10 incorrect surgical procedures occur daily in the United States, some with devastating effects, according to
background information in the article. Surgery can be performed on the wrong site, wrong side of the body, using an incorrect
procedure or on the wrong patient. "The Veterans Health Administration developed and implemented a pilot program to reduce the
risk of incorrect surgical events in April 2002, which resulted in the dissemination of a national directive in January 2003," the authors
write. The rule was further updated in 2004.

Julia Neily, R.N., M.S., M.P.H., of Veterans Health Administration (VHA), White River Junction, Vt., and colleagues reviewed
reported surgical adverse events occurring at 130 VHA facilities between January 2001 and June 2006. Events were categorized by
location (inside the operating room vs. outside, at a location such as a procedure room at a clinic or at the patient's bedside), specialty
departments, body segments, severity and several other characteristics.

Overall, the researchers reviewed 342 reported events, including 212 adverse events (any surgical procedure performed unnecessarily,
such as a procedure performed on the wrong patient or wrong site) and 130 close calls (in which a recognizable step toward an adverse
event occurred but the patient was not subjected to the unnecessary procedure). Of the adverse events, 108 (50.9 percent) occurred in
an operating room and 104 (49.1 percent) occurred elsewhere.

"When examining adverse events only, ophthalmology and invasive radiology were the specialties associated with the most reports
(45 [21.2 percent] each), whereas orthopedics was second to ophthalmology for the number of reported adverse events occurring in
the operating room," the authors write. "Pulmonary medicine cases (such as wrong-side thoracentesis [removing fluid from chest]) and
wrong-site cases (such as wrong spinal level) were associated with the most harm. The most common root cause of events was
communication (21.0 percent)."

The results indicate that communication problems often occur early in surgical procedures, and interventions such as a final "time-out"
moments before incision may occur too late to correct them. "Incorrect surgical procedures are not only an operating room challenge
but also a challenge for events occurring outside of the operating room," the authors conclude. "We support earlier communication
based on crew resource management to prevent surgical adverse events."

This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs National
Center for Patient Safety at Ann Arbor, Mich., and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vt., and the
Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington, DC.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116163218.htm