Learning Objective #1: Understand cultural difference in choosing music to relieve postoperative pain

Learning Objective #2: Understand the effect of music on postoperative pain compared to analgesic medication alone while considering cultural differences

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The purpose was to test effects of music on pain following gynecological surgery and to explore preferences and differences in effect between Korean vs American music in postoperative women in Korea. The 73 women were randomly assigned; 34 (47%) to the music group and 39 (53%) to the control group. Those receiving sedative music were given a choice of 2 types of Korean music (ballads or religious) and 3 types of American music (piano, orchestra, or pop song). Pain control methods were according to physician order: Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA) (59%) or intravenous/intramuscular (IV/IM) (41%) which did not result in significantly different posttest pain. The majority of those in the music group chose the Korean selections (n=20, 59%), and the remainder chose the American music. With an experimental pretest-posttest design, chosen music was heard during 20 minutes of rest on postoperative days 1 and 2, am and pm. The control group rested for 20 minutes. Pain was measured with Visual Analogue Sensation and Distress of Pain Scales. Analysis of Covariance while controlling for pretest pain scores, showed significantly less posttest pain sensation in the music group on day 1 am and less sensation and distress on day 1 pm. Korean and American music resulted in 9% to 24% less postoperative pain than analgesic medication alone. There was no difference in posttest pain in the music group between those who chose Korean or American music; both types were effective. If Korean music had not been offered, the majority would have been treated with a less-than-preferred type of music. However, American music was effective for Koreans who chose it. The findings suggest that sedative qualities and familiarity with the type of music may be important factors.