Rhythmic Entrainment: The heartbeat of Surgical Serenity Solutions

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Have you ever had surgery? It’s not something that anyone ever looks forward to. Many people find out suddenly that they need surgery just days before the doctor recommends it. There’s not a lot of time to prepare. Even if you have heard that music before, during and after surgery is a good idea, you don’t really have time to put together a playlist of your favorite calming, soothing, comforting music.

My Story

This is what happened to me. My back and leg had been bothering me for almost 6 months and it was definitely getting worse. I had done several rounds of physical therapy but it wasn’t getting better. I was trying to walk a little each day and also had gone to a hot pool water therapy class but it just was not getting better!

One day, after X-rays and an MRI, my doctor said that I was probably going to need disc surgery because I had a bulging disc and my left calf was getting numb. It was a scary moment. He scheduled me about 3-4 weeks out so I had lots of time to think about it and maybe it would get better on it’s own?

Because I was already working at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, doing research on the healing power of music, I was aware that using music before, during, and after surgery, could do all kinds of wonderful things for the patient. But the information I was seeing about this phenomenon was about using music through speakers in the operating room. Some doctors were in favor of this but some wanted to play THEIR favorite music. Understandable.

The Big Misunderstanding

At that time (1995) I was learning about the concept of rhythmic entrainment and about how much affects the patient having surgery. I was beginning to put together how rhythmic entrainment would be working on a patients biorhythms even if they were under anesthesia. I remember bouncing this idea off of some of my music therapist friends at the University of Louisville in an effort to understand why music wasn’t played more often in surgery in order to help the patient reduce the amount of anesthesia, anxiety meds and pain meds and there was really no good answer, I didn’t think.

So a patient’s body responds to the pulse of the music even thought the patient is not consciously “listening” to the music.

I hope this all makes sense to you and that you find it interesting!!  Please let me know if you have more questions.

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Updated FAQ’s about music delivery in surgery or medical procedures

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Elderly patient wearing headphones after surgery

There are certain questions that people have been asking about music with surgery since we launched in 2009, but there are also so many new advances in technology that the FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) change accordingly! If you have an additional question, please put it in the comments below! 🙂 Thanks!

Here are our 2024 Frequently Asked Questions

Can the headphones be used for things other than surgery?

Although our headphones  were created with the surgical patient in mind, customers/patients have now used them in dentistry, chemotherapy, childbirth, pain management, kidney dialysis, blood transfusions, blood draws, and in the back of an ambulance! At this point, I feel sure that there are many other uses as well. All the more reason to download these playlists onto your iPhone and have them ready to go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will my hospital have these waiting for me?

More and more hospitals are purchasing our headphones by the hundreds to have waiting for the patient on day of surgery, or colonoscopy or root canal, etc. We are creating opportunities for hospitals to get a lower price on the headphones when they buy large quantities to give to patients. Best to ask your surgeon in advance so you can plan ahead.

Can I download all five playlists on my iPhone?

Absolutely! Just go to the Apple App Store by going to www.SurgicalSerenitySolutions.com/calm.  Download all 5 or just one or two. The app is free and full of all kinds of information including a link to all of my blog posts. Each playlist is under $10. You won’t find a better non-pharmacological solution to anxiety and pain perception. Guaranteed!

Will my surgeon allow my iPhone or headphones in surgery?

In our experience, about 96-97% of surgeons allow the headphones. The key is whether or not they have seen the extensive research on the benefits of music during the perioperative period. Our music is the only therapeutic music already loaded onto cordless, lightweight headphones. Some hospitals and ASCs actually allow the patient to bring in their own headphones and stream the music from our app.

Is there actual clinical research on benefits of music for the patient during surgery?

Absolutely! There are 100’s of studies and meta-analyses of those studies. There is even a published study on OUR headphones and OUR therapeutic playlists.

Is there anything besides the headphones to use in surgery or in the hospital?

As of January 2024 there is nothing specifically for the patient. Some hospitals still play music over loudspeakers that is chosen for the doctors. The assumption is that the patient will soon be asleep so that there’s no need for them to have their own special music that is completely different from what the surgeon is listening to.

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