Blog - Page 5 of 40 - Surgical Serenity Solutions

May May 31, 2023

Adolescents in the Pediatric ICU: Music therapy and hand massage

By DrAlice|May 31, 2023|adolescent surgery, hand massage|0 Comments

Adolescents are prone to anxiety under the best of circumstances. It’s a time a life that’s full of changes, some expected, some unexpected! Having to be in a pediatric ICU is definitely unexpected and the anxiety levels there are sky-high!

So I was particularly happy to see this new research study appear online this morning in my email entitled:

Impact of music therapy and hand massage in the pediatric intensive care unit on pain, fear and stress: Randomized controlled trial

In this empirical study, conducted in Turkey, the adolescents were divided into three groups.

a music group of 33 patients
a hand massage group of 33 patients
a control group of 33 patients that received the standard care

The study does not reveal what the music intervention was, but reports at the end that “Nurses may use music therapy and hand massage to manage fear and pain related to blood drawing in the PICU.”

The results were that both the music group and the hand massage group had lower pain and fear score results, based on the FACES pain scale

as well as a a pain scale called the Children’s Fear scale. The researchers also looked at blood cortisol levels. (Cortisol is a hormone. produced by the adrenal glands and found in the blood when people are under great stress.)

Here is a link to the study if you’d like to read more about it: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37230011/

I am grateful that these studies exist but it would be so helpful if the researchers would let us know the type of music they used and how it was delivered. As a colleague of mine said recently, it’s like saying “the researchers gave the patient medicine,” but not say what the medicine was or how much they gave or how often!

They also state that the “music therapy” can be delivered by nurses! Unless the nurse is also a music therapist, this is not possible. HOWEVER, the nurse can definitely deliver music medicine through pre-loaded headphones with therapeutic music chosen by a clinical musicologist.

To read more about this, go to www.SurgicalSerenitySolutions.com/patient-products.

May May 6, 2023

How anesthesiologists discovered the value of music with Surgical Serenity Solutions headphones

By DrAlice|May 6, 2023|Anesthesiologists and Surgical Serenity Solutions|0 Comments

healthy resting heartbeat entrains to music through headphones

Patient enjoying serene music that entrains with healthy resting heartbeat

When I first had the idea to create preloaded headphones for surgical patients, it was because I had gone through a surgical procedure that terrified me. I was told that I needed to have back surgery for a ruptured disk. After 40+ years of sitting at the piano for 4-5 hours a day to practice, I would then sit in a chair teaching piano for 4-5 hours a day.

People have to have surgery for many different reasons but when they are told they need surgery, fear and anxiety are almost always the feelings they experience first. As a professional musician and lover of music, I thought that if patients could be handed a headphone with soothing, calming, comforting music on it, as soon as they arrive at the hospital, this could really make a difference.

As I began to research the idea, I learned that the patient’s anxiety causes their muscles to tense up, all over the body, and some of the initial medication given to the patient at the hospital is to begin to relax those muscles. The more relaxed your muscles are when you’re wheeled into the operating room, the less anesthesia it will take to sedate you, and the less pain medication (opioids) it will take to keep you comfortable during the procedure!

Dr Cash speaks to hospitals and surgeons around the world! I was focused exclusively on the patient at first, but then I realized that I really did need the “buy-in” or confirmation that this was a good idea from the anesthesiologist and surgeon. At the time, I was working a the University of Louisville School of Medicine, so finding surgeons and anesthesiologists to dialogue with was not difficult.

Here is an excerpt from one anesthesiologist who also is a professional violinist:

“As an anesthesiologist with an extensive background in classical music, I am a strong proponent of Dr. Cash’s proprietary, rhythmic entrainment focused music, pre-loaded on cordless headphones.

Rarely, if ever, in medicine is there an intervention that has repeatedly demonstrated efficacy in multiple studies that also carries with it virtually no risk to the patient.

As a physician, I am always weighing the risks and benefits of each treatment to determine if it’s worth utilizing. Surgical Serenity Headphones are unique in that they carry immense benefits without any downside.

I am always pleased to accommodate a patient’s wishes to bring music into the operating room. I would be particularly enthusiastic if they had these pre-programmed cordless headphones that would maximize the physiologic benefits through rhythmic entrainment.

I recommend talking to your surgeon as soon as possible in the process, and certainly mention your desire to bring headphones in on the day of surgery to the anesthesia team. This would best be accomplished if you have a pre-op appointment with someone from anesthesia, but not everyone will have this chance. This could also happen during a pre-op phone call.

Whenever it happens, try to be prepared to assuage any concerns or skepticism with the fact that these headphones, and music in general, have been and are currently being used in operating rooms across the planet, including many world-renowned medical centers.”

One of the first reports that I wrote for patients was called “How to Talk with your Doctor about Using music during surgery.” In the beginning, patients were concerned (and rightly so!) that their doctor wouldn’t let them bring their headphones from home into surgery.

I learned quickly that hospitals around the country have very different policies from each other and that while some hospitals and doctors are totally OK with this concept, depending on what the specific surgery is, other hospitals totally forbid “anything from home” coming into the OR.

patient listens to soothing jazz while waiting for cataract surgery Now, music in the operating room is more expected than not. But what patients nor doctors still realize is that the patient DOES respond to music that is playing nearby, even when they are under general anesthesia! Yes! The patient may not consciously HEAR the music, but their body does respond to the rhythm of the music by entraining to it…the patient’s own heartbeat and breathing TENDS to sync with the tempo of music playing in the room. That is why the music for the patient needs to be different from the music that surgeon has chosen!

Surgical Serenity Solutions has created the solution for this dilemma! Our pre-loaded headphones put the ideal slow, soothing music directly into the patient’s ears with playlists in 5 different genres. And the doctor can still have his or her music playing ambiently to help them maintain their energy and focus. To read more about our headphones, which can be ordered by patients or hospitals, go to www.SurgicalSerenitySolutions.com.

Apr Apr 24, 2023

Emergency surgery for a retinal tear

By DrAlice|April 24, 2023|Emergency surgery|0 Comments

Surgery with the use of Surgical Serenity music throughout

Recently a dear friend went to his ophthalmologist because of a problem with his left eye and a sudden gray fog that appeared. He was really not expecting it to be a big deal, but when the Dr finally got a good look, he said “you need emergency surgery! you have a retinal tear (torn retina).” This was 9:30 in the morning and he finally found an available retinal surgeon that afternoon at 5 PM. What an ordeal!!

No one knows what causes a retinal tear, or a detached retina, or a macular hole, but when these things happen, it’s an emergency and our feelings and emotions start working overtime. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but taking pills and liquids is not the only solution. Healing music is!! Of course the therapeutic music is not going to “cure” anything, but the right music can definitely ameliorate the symptoms by calming the body and reducing anxiety and pain perception.

Our surgical headphones have been accompanying patients into surgery since 2009 and we are now the biggest producer of surgical headphones in the world. You can read and view some of our patient testimonials at www.SurgicalSerenitySolutions.com/testimonials. Our soothing, therapeutic music makes SUCH a difference that patients and physicians are usually quite surprised.

This is not just any relaxing music. We have specifically tested and chosen music in 5 distinct genres that begins to calm and soothe the patient as soon as they put on our lightweight, cordless headphones. Dr. Cash is a concert pianist, a clinical social worker, and a clinical musicologist with 33 years experience in the medical field.

Our music is played on acoustic instruments (except for the New Age playlist) and performed by professionals, dedicated to our mission of providing therapeutic music for surgical patients to ease their anxiety and their pain perception.

If your hospital is ready to step into the future and provide their patients with a cutting-edge product, click this link now. Surgical Headphones

Our headphones will be prepared and shipped to you within 30 days and you can buy them online, send a purchase order, or write a check!

Give your patients the gift of soothing, therapeutic music and the likelihood of less medication and a faster recovery! Surgical Headphones

Apr Apr 1, 2023

Are medical procedures traumatic for you?

By DrAlice|April 1, 2023|medical trauma, Music and Eye Surgery|0 Comments

As a psychotherapist and a clinical musicologist, patients tell me on a regular basis that they are filled with anxiety about upcoming medical procedures. Anything from an injection or blood draw, to major or minor surgery seems to evoke a level of fear that is significant. You don’t have to have a car crash, or near-death experience to perceive trauma in an upcoming procedure.

And remember, trauma is in the heart and mind of the person having the procedure.

I must admit that I get pretty worked up myself over procedures large and small, medical and dental. Recently I had to have some thyroid nodules biopsied and I was very anxious about the potential pain. This is one of the many procedures that a local numbing injection is all that they can give you and of course, this one is right in the neck. After 20 minutes, the doctor came in and gave me 8 more needles in the same area! Seems cruel but that’s the only way to sample and test the nodules.

As it turned out, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had feared and all of the nodules were benign. But the places my mind went were scary and things could have turned out much differently.

So what do YOU do when you know you’re going to have to have a scary medical procedure or a big dental procedure, or even surgery? There are SO many medical and nursing research studies that document the powerful calming and sedative benefits of music. Not just ANY music though. Some people (even Doctors and nurses) think that something fun and upbeat will be just the ticket. Others believe that relaxation music, i.e. nature sounds or binaural beats, (slightly different frequencies played separately in each ear) will do the trick.

Instead, through my own readings, and verified through my research, I have discovered my proprietary, patented system of music that effectively reduces anxiety and pain perception. The principles I use can be applied to any genre of music and I created five playlists in five different genres so that the patient can choose their favorite.

Patients who used this system needed less anxiety medication, they needed less anesthesia (which means they wake up sooner and easier) and less pain medication afterwards. Pain medication in particular can be a problem because patients can get addicted to opioids. It’s not a moral issue at all. When people are in pain, and pain is very subjective, all they want is to be out of pain. Opioids will do this, but if you take them longer than 5-7 days, it is possible to build up a tolerance and then the problem starts.

Using music before, during and after your procedure will decrease the need for AS MUCH anxiety medication (xanax, valium), anesthesia (propofol, etc–the one that killed Michael Jackson), and pain medication afterwards (opioids). On my website, you can ready many of the best recent research studies about the power of music with surgery and other medical procedures. www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/research.

One of the main reasons I created Surgical Serenity Solutions was for myself. I do not like pain but I do LOVE music. When I discovered how well-documented this intervention was, I tried to find a simple way to provide music for all patients who are fearful of upcoming procedures. After trying several other methods, I came up with the idea of putting the ideal music (I am also a clinical musicologist) on cordless headphones that would not interfere in any way with the surgical team or dental staff. Since 2009, we have continuously improved the delivery method and added four new genres of playlists.

The patient can now purchase the preloaded headphones or the hospital can purchase them in bulk and have them waiting for the patient! Our 5 playlists (Classical, Jazz, New Age, Lullabies, or Memory Care) can be streamed to bluetooth headphones that patient or hospital already owns, or the patient can bring their own AirPods and stream from their cellphone or an iPad already in the operating room.

This patient is waiting to go into surgery. and is feeling no pain! He’s waiting to have a cataract removed and is listing to the Jazz playlist. When it was all over, he reported “that was such an amazing experience, have easy but steady jazz music playing while the surgeon went about her business and I heard none of it. I will take these headphones to every medical and dental procedure I ever go to!”

Do you want this for yourself or for your hospital and patients. ORDER NOW!! Go to www.SurgicalSerenitySolutions.com/hospitalheadphones or

www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/patientheadphones.

P.S. These headphones contain no metal so they are safe in hospital or surgical settings that don’t allow any metal! 🙂

Get YOURS today!

Feb Feb 1, 2023

During surgery, what do staff talk about in the OR?

By DrAlice|February 1, 2023|Surgery, Surgery and Mind-Body Relaxation|0 Comments

Cataract Surgery with Bluetooth headphones and Surgical Serenity Lullaby playlist

Dr Cash’s cataract surgery using Bluetooth headphones and Surgical Serenity playlist

I read a very interesting post yesterday. A nurse who worked in surgery 30-40 years ago said that during whatever procedure the surgeon was doing, he was talking to the patient the entire time. Even though the patient was under general anesthesia, the surgeon addressed him as Mr. ____ and explained everything he was doing, as he was doing it. He also added positive comments such as “the operation is going very well,” “you’re going to recover quickly and easily from this,” and “you will feel so much better for having had this procedure.”

He did not allow any OR chatter among the staff or talk about the patient as though he couldn’t hear them. I wonder how often this happens today, around the world?

Apparently this is not the norm today. The OR chatter is filled with topics that have nothing to do with the patient and sometimes the patient is talked about in a demeaning way. Now I don’t think that’s the norm, but it does happen and there have been lawsuits about this in the news recently.

Having surgery is a very frightening experience for many people. Just recently I was told that I need to have a biopsy on my thyroid and I am truly not looking forward to that! But surgeries, biopsies, and testing of all kinds are daily occurrences around the world. Modern medicine has created many, many procedures that involve probing into the body to eliminate, destroy, or treat illness.

While this is going on, the patient benefits from being as calm as possible! I actually love the idea of the doctor talking to the patient throughout the procedure, especially if it’s calm, positive talk. I have heard from so many patients that even under general anesthesia, or perhaps as they were waking up, they heard OR staff discussing their lunch or dinner plans, their date the night before, or topics totally unrelated to their surgery or procedure. That does NOT feel good. Patients don’t want to feel like their procedure is not that important to the people who are conducting it.

Actually, the turning point for me was when I heard that a surgeon in a large downtown hospital here was playing “Another one bites the dust” by QUEEN during most of his surgeries! I was horrified! That is not funny or cute and is extremely disrespectful. How much kinder, healing, and respectful is addressing the patient directly with words that calm, soothe, and encourage the patient to begin healing. Think about it.

In the meantime, if is not your practice to talk to the patient that you’re operating on, you should know that research shows that when patients listen to soothing music through headphones, they recover better and with less PONV. Get your patients the Surgical Serenity Solutions preloaded headphones, with soothing, slow and completely instrumental music. They will definitely thank you for this!

Jan Jan 23, 2023

More about getting a healthcare facility license

By DrAlice|January 23, 2023|Apple Family sharing, Healthcare License to play music|0 Comments

Are you a healthcare facility, or are you affiliated with a healthcare facility? Does your healthcare facility play music for its patients as part of surgery, MRI, or other procedures? Are you currently using a Pandora, Spotify, or Apple Family Sharing account? If so, STOP! You are subject to large fines, UNLESS you purchase a healthcare license from ASCAP or BMI.

https://www.ascap.com/~/media/files/pdf/licensing/classes/healthcare-license.pdf

Now that more and more hospitals are seeing the research studies documenting the power of soothing music through headphones for the patient, it’s really important to know that you’re getting music that is already licensed by the company who is selling the pre-loaded headphones.

When I had the idea to create pre-loaded headphones back in 2005, I learned about how medical facilities were mainly using music chosen by the surgeons for the surgeons. I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t give the patient soothing music through headphones. Some surgeons knew intuitively that this was a good idea but most surgical staffs did not have the time or the know-how to create playlists that would be soothing and comforting for the patient and would take them through pre-op into surgery, through surgery, and then into recovery.

And then music became digitized and MP3 players or iPods were an option. And then Pandora and Spotify and Apple Family Sharing came along and some hospitals had music therapists or nurses or even surgeons who started making some playlists for surgeons. For a decade or more this was a growing phenomenon. During that time Surgical Serenity Solutions was marketing to patients and they were buying our pre-loaded headphones and taking them in to their surgeries.

Around 2018-19, just before Covid hit, Surgical Serenity Solutions started marketing primarily to hospitals and in the course of making that switch, I learned that ASCAP, the national organization that licenses all music, had decided to create a healthcare license that hospitals could purchase for a nominal fee in order to create their own playlists to offer patients. As of January 1, 2019 hospitals were required to purchase a healthcare license in order to use Pandora, Spotify or Apple Family Sharing.

The problem with this option is that music therapists usually don’t have the time and surgeons and nurses don’t have the know-how to choose music that will result in reduced anxiety and pain perception.

Elderly patient wearing headphones after surgery

Woman relaxed wearing headphones before surgery

So a great alternative is to purchase Surgical Serenity Solutions (SSS) pre-loaded headphones because:

the music is legal to use because it is commissioned and owned by SSS, in the public domain, performed by myself, a concert pianist, or already licensed by me for sale.
the music is scientifically chosen and shown to engage rhythmic entrainment, reduce anxiety and lower pain perception.

Of course if you want to buy a license for your hospital or Ambulatory Surgery Center, you can do that. But most busy surgeons simply don’t have the time to do that and music therapists typically don’t work with surgical patients by creating playlists for them to use in the perioperative period.

If YOUR hospital or center wants to learn more, you can go to https://www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/preloaded-headphones-for-hospitals/

For a white paper that I wrote for physicians about the benefits of music for patients, go to https://www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/4-reasons.

If you have any questions at all please contact me immediately by filling out the form at https://www.surgicalserenitysolutions.com/contact-us/. We look forward to answering all of your questions and helping you and your patients to understand the benefits of music during surgery and provide you with ready-to-go pre-loaded headphones that have already been proven effective to hundreds and thousands of patients. Our music is also available to license for hospital so that patients could bring their own bluetooth headphones and stream our surgical playlists. You can go HERE to hear samples of this music.

Step into the future of music with surgery and hospitals providing the best in scientifically curated and sequenced music! Surgical Serenity Solutions is the future!

And NOW: SSS announces our Pre-loaded MP3 players for Hospitals

Our MP3 players are each pre-loaded with one of our proprietary, therapeutic playlists! Because they are more cost-effective when purchased in bulk and co-branded for each hospital, hospitals can afford to GIVE each patient their own MP3 player to take home for continued recovery in the comfort of their own home. Clear HERE to fill in your hospital’s information so that we can set up a call to provide you with the very best package for your hospitals!

Nov Nov 28, 2022

Mozart and Surgery: powerful results

By DrAlice|November 28, 2022|Mozart and Surgery: powerful results|0 Comments

Woman relaxed wearing headphones before surgery

Mozart is a composer that even non-musicians have probably heard of. And ever since the early 1990’s Mozart’s name has been associated with potential health benefits. “The Mozart Effect” was in media and print news around the world and CDs were created to play for babies both before and after birth. This lasted for about a decade and then faded away quite a bit.

A new study on music with surgery came out today

Until today! This morning a new study came out about the use of Mozart’s music during surgery and it’s exciting! The particular surgical procedure was a total thyroidectomy. The summary of this study states:

Purpose: Pain has always been a major concern in postoperative care. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Mozart music on postoperative pain and physiological parameters in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy.

Methods: Patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to a music group or a control group. The music intervention was applied immediately after surgery, whereas the control group received only usual care. Measurements of pain perception and physiological parameters were performed before, during, and after the music intervention in the music group and at the same time points in the control group. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale.

Results: In a study population of 50 patients, a higher rate of decrease in pain was observed in the music group after the first 10 min of the music intervention compared to the control group (estimate = – 1.329; 95% CI [- 2.490, – 0.169]). Music also reduced respiratory rate by 1.31 rates/min more in the music group than in the control group at every assessment point (95% CI [- 2.171, – 0.451]). Changes in the remaining physiological parameters were not statistically significant between the music and the control group and within each group.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the use of music during immediate postoperative care after thyroidectomy could accelerate pain relief and lead to a greater decline of respiratory rate compared to that achieved in usual care.

Why Mozart? Would another composer or genre do as well?

I have already corresponded with the lead researcher of this study who is in Greece. We need to know what the specific piece by Mozart was as well as whether the music was delivered through headphones or ambiently (through speakers in the room.)

As a clinical musicologist, I would also like to know how they decided to used Mozart instead of another classical composer or how they decided on the specific composition by Mozart that they used. As medical-surgical science goes forward, we need lots of detail about how specifically music can help patients in the perioperative area.

The Opioid Crisis around the world is very much still alive and music is one of the EASY ways to decrease opioid usage during and after a surgery. Pain is always going to be a problem during and after surgery but rather than just “hope” you won’t get addicted, how about asking your surgeon and your hospital if they have our pre-loaded headphones ready and waiting for you. Many hospitals around the world have made these available for their patients. Here’s the link for your hospital to order.

If your hospital does not have them yet you can order a single pair for yourself! Just click here.

Nov Nov 21, 2022

Choosing your best music for surgery

By DrAlice|November 21, 2022|Choosing your best music for surgery|0 Comments

Reading about Surgical Serenity headphones and music before cataract surgery.

Are you having surgery soon? And have you heard all the chatter about how much music can improve your outcomes? Examples of important surgical outcomes are:

Stabilized blood pressure after surgery
Oriented to time and place after surgery
Stabilized body temperature
Able to be discharged to home sooner
Able to eat small, bland meals within a few hours

How is music able to do this? The biggest reason is that when music is introduced prior to surgery, less anxiety and pain medication may be needed as well as less anesthesia.

But how do you go about choosing YOUR best music; the music that will decrease your anxiety and your pain perception. It can really be a daunting task because we’re all different and there are so many options.

Characteristics of music appropriate for surgery

Here are some characteristics of the ideal music for you:

Familiarity: The best music for surgery isn’t necessarily familiar music but it could be. The reason that familiarity is not necessarily a plus is because you might have a negative association with a piece that you know.
Tempo: It likely will not be music with a fast tempo although it could be somewhat upbeat. Music with a steady pulse is preferable so that your breathing and heartbeat can begin to synchronize with it.
Volume: It doesn’t have to be super soft or quiet, but it definitely won’t be loud. That’s because the music should be calming and loud music can be jarring and intrusive, even if you like it. Remember, you’re not going to dance to the music during surgery.
Lyrics: An instrumental version of a song, or a piece of music that was written for instruments alone would be best. Lyrics can feel like too much when you’re filled with anxiety and feeling pain. And there are some lyrics that are negative. Music should be like a warm, comforting blanket that a kind nurse lays over you while you’re waiting to be pushed into the operating theater.
Genre: Today there are many different types or genres of music. The music genres that Surgical Serenity Solutions offers include Classical, Jazz, New Age, Lullabies, and Memory Care. But there are hundreds of others, not to mention music from other cultures that utilize different instruments and musical scales. We have chosen the music that patients in the Western hemisphere seem to ask for the most.

What about “Binaural Beats” music?

The concept of “binaural beats” has been around since the 1830s but its application to surgery is relatively recent. What are binaural beats? Binaural beats occur when a different pitch is delivered to each ear, usually through headphones, and the brain automatically creates a third pitch that has a calming or possibly healing effect. There have been some studies demonstrating benefits from using binaural beats.

My preference is not to use binaural beats but instead to use more traditional therapeutic music that incorporates melodic phrases and steady, rhythmic patterns. When this is done, the body’s natural rhythmic activity, such as heartbeat and breathing, synchronizes to the pulse of the music. This is called rhythmic entrainment. Meanwhile beautiful music transports the patient from a place of fear and anxiety to a state of relaxation.

Binaural Beats or Rhythmic entrainment

While there are hundreds of studies available about benefits of calming music before and after surgery, there are only a few studies about binaural beats before and after surgery. Some people respond better to actual “music” whether classical, jazz, or New Age, while “binaural beats” are not really music.

According to WebMD “A binaural beat is an illusion created by the brain when you listen to two tones with slightly different frequencies at the same time.” They go on to say that

“There is a lack of clinical research for binaural beats. The evidence for the frequency-following effect is conflicting and inconclusive. Talk to your doctor before trying to use binaural beats for any health reasons.”

Claimed benefits of binaural beats include:

Increased creativity and cognitive enhancement
Reduced anxiety and improved mood
Helping you enter a meditative state
Improved sleeping habits
Helping to improve focus, attention, and memory retention

There are also potential side-effects…

Side effects of binaural beats (from WebMD)

Depression. Some studies have linked binaural beats to increased feelings of depression. Some people who listened to binaural beats experienced short bursts of anxiety, anger, and confusion that lasted for a short time.

However, there is inconclusive research supporting binaural beat as a stand-alone medical treatment tool. Binaural beat therapy can’t be used in place of conventional therapy, but it could be used as a complementary strategy if discussed with a doctor. Research shows that binary beats are good for mental health as it’s linked to encouraging positive feelings.As many binaural beats are freely available, the reactions to the beats vary from one individual to another. Individuals need to experiment with different binary beats to find ones that suit them. The effectiveness of binaural beats depends on the listener. Some people will find the beats effective. Others might find them irritating and unproductive.”

From my perspective as a music medicine practitioner and a clinical musicologist, I prefer to recommend actual music rather than binaural beats. And most of my music therapy colleagues agree.

Back to the best kinds of music for your surgical experience

I’ve explained my reasons for preferring music that incorporates rhythmic entrainment by way of melodies and harmony and more traditional rhythms. In the long run, it becomes a question of musical preference and taste, also, there’s been much more scientific research using traditional music with surgery.

The music that serves you best during surgery is the music that will give you the results that you want.

If you feel that you can choose the right music based on the 5 criteria listed above AND if you have the time and ability to put together your own playlist for surgery, you can do that. BUT, many, many people simply do not have the time to do that or that knowledge of how to do this.

That’s why Surgical Serenity Solutions decided back in 2005 to do it for you! So often, the need for surgery comes suddenly and without warning.

My story and why I started Surgical Serenity Solutions

This is what happened to me in 1995 when I was told that I needed back surgery for a ruptured disk. I was shocked that nothing else could be done at that time. Because I am a professional musician in addition to being a clinician, I literally stayed up all night creating a cassette tape that had my favorite calming, soothing music. I was also fortunate to have a neurosurgeon who was happy to let my bring that Walkman into surgery, along with headphones that plugged into it. I’ll never forget him taping the Walkman to the operating table and saying that it would be safe there and not get in his way.

My outcomes were great and the surgical team all felt that the music had helped me to go through the surgery with less medication for anxiety and pain. I had a pain pump afterwards but I never touched it! I never needed it.

After I was home I started thinking about how many millions of people could benefit from music during their surgery but would likely have no clue how to make that happen. In 2005 I had the idea to have headphones that could be pre-loaded with a chip inserted that would have the ideal slow, soothing music in different genres.

What is now ready and available for you to purchase so you don’t have to feel so helpless

Woman relaxed wearing headphones before surgery

TODAY, we have the Surgical Serenity Solutions headphones available with Classical, Jazz, New Age, Lullabies and Memory Care music. You can order them immediately for yourself here. Or you can see if you hospital has already bought into our system. Many have! You might also want to listen to a sample of each option here. Just scroll to the bottom of that page.

If you know how to make your own playlist, you can do that, put the music on a micro-SD card that you purchase, order our headphones, and replace the SD card that comes with them.

Wishing you the best when you do have surgery, or dental work, or whatever medical procedure causes you anxiety. It really works!

Oct Oct 19, 2022

Surgery with music concept spreads around the world!

By DrAlice|October 19, 2022|music medicine in Italy, Surgery with music around the world|0 Comments

Beautiful Capri and Anacapri, Italy

My dream has always been that surgery with music would be available to all surgical patients around the world. They would have access to soothing, serene music, through headphones, throughout their surgical procedures. Having surgery is a terrifying prospect for many people. Sometimes it’s based on past experience, but sometimes it’s based entirely on stories that people hear from friends or relatives. The use of calming music during the perioperative period (before, during and after) is becoming more and more utilized as research studies and case histories document its power.

Adding new countries to our international education of physicians and patients

This was our view from Swiss hotel window

We are now four steps closer to that dream as I have just visited four new countries! In Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Switzerland I spoke with both physicians and patients about the powerful benefits of calming, soothing, serene music throughout the surgical procedures. I have yet to receive ANY pushback on this concept and the product that has resulted from the idea!

The first reaction of medical professionals is to want to know about the medical research that has been conducted. Of course! And there have been many significant studies over the past 30 years, at least, with an increasing number of studies done since 2010. Invariably the studies suggest that using calm, steady, slow music before, during and after surgery decreases the patient’s anxiety level and pain perception level.

Why does surgery with music make such an important impact in the surgery process?

Why is this so important? Because the anxiety and pain perception are decreased naturally, there is less need for powerful benzodiazepines, which bring their own negative side-effects, including addiction. As a psychotherapist (and clinical musicologist) I can tell you that if a patient can get that calm and peaceful feeling with a pill, they will reach for a pill rather than their headphones or an instrument.

When people don’t feel well, they are going to reach for the path of least resistance. It’s far too easy to take a pill, and please understand, I am not against benzodiazepines, or opioids, or other drugs used in surgery, when they are necessary. But oftentimes, doctors give without a thought as to whether music therapy, or music medicine might suffice and do the job. MY job is to educate

Olympia, Greece, site of the original Olympics before birth of Christ

So, while I was on a wonderful European cruise, I made it my business to seek out physicians and patients who were willing to hear about my company, Surgical Serenity Solutions. Many physicians and patients told me that they thought it was a great idea and would look into it. Already I’ve gotten an invitation to speak to music therapy students at a university in Istanbul, Turkey and I’m looking forward to that next month.

Most people know intuitively that surgery with music relaxes and calms but they don’t know how to implement this

Because the concept of music as medicine is ancient, people accept it intuitively. They don’t always know how to implement it though. And that is the exact reason that I decided to create pre-loaded headphones for surgical patients to have waiting for them when they arrive at the hospital on the day of their surgery. It has been a success so far, but lots more people need to hear about it. Will YOU help me spread the message? You can forward this blog post link to anyone you know that is having surgery, or to your doctor, nurse or medical friends. Or just remember this option and tell people about it!

Does YOUR hospital utilize the Surgical Serenity Solutions headphones? More and more hospitals are requesting information and buying into our concept, but here is the link for hospitals to learn more and buy.

Read some of the compelling research studies on surgery with music below!

And in terms of all the research that has been conducted and published in leading medical journals? Best practices in the medical field are nearly always based on current research in that specific field. In an era that has been severely damaged by opioid abuse and drug addiction, medical professionals are more eager than ever Here’s the link to some of the top studies.

Sep Sep 2, 2022

Why music makes a difference in the perioperative period

By DrAlice|September 2, 2022|Music and Anesthesia|0 Comments

Physicians in Korea standing with Dr. Cash

Speaking to Drs about the power of rhythmic entrainment.

Scientists are trained to be skeptical. And it’s a very good thing! When people’s lives are on the line, you want to be sure that everything you’re doing for the patient is maximizing their opportunities to survive and thrive. Using music during the perioperative period is one of those things that has proven to be very useful in decreasing anxiety and pain perception. And at the same time, to “DO NO HARM.”

One of the steps to becoming a physician is taking the ancient “Hippocratic Oath” and part of that oath requires that the physician promise to “primum non nocere” which means “first, do no harm.” I believe that one of the major benefits of using music during the surgical period is that music can never harm a patient. But far more than that, it can actually calm them prior to the beginning of the procedure, a time when Valium is often given routinely and without a thought of the fact that music could probably accomplish the very same thing but without the risk of side-effects.

What are common side-effects of Valium?

According to www.rxlist.com, common side-effects of Valium include:

drowsiness
tired feeling
dizziness
spinning sensation
fatigue
constipation
ataxia (loss of balance)
memory problems

And what are common patient reactions to serene, calming music?

lowered anxiety
feelings of peace
slow and steady heartbeat
deep and regular breathing
ability to forget current circumstances (temporarily)

The goal is education about the power of music

Through the past several hundred years, individual doctors and nurses have thought about using music during surgery and other medical procedures. I have read about doctors having live music in the operating room, but that’s not very practical and raises concerns about introducing all kinds of germs and bacteria into the operating room.

There are paintings from hundreds of years ago showing musicians attending a patient having surgery. This painting depicts “live Oud music during cardiac surgery.” and accompanies a medical study with the same name.

One of the basic premises in using music as medicine, whether for surgery or other medical procedures, is that the music must be pleasing, even if not familiar to the patient.

Every part of the world has its own music, its own music history, and its own musical instruments that have developed over thousands of years.

Offering the surgical patient a choice of music prior to surgery is very important and creates a sense of some choice and control for the patient. Most people go into surgery feeling very powerless and even out of control. Offering soothing music is a simple way to empower the patient and give them a sense of partnership.

Research on the use of music during the perioperative period

On my website you can find some of the most important recent studies on the use of music with different kinds of surgeries. Click here to see these studies and meta-analyses.

There have been very reputable studies done on music with cataract surgery, cancer surgeries, joint replacement surgeries, dental surgery and any medical procedures you can imagine. It’s really very exciting.

Surgical Serenity Solutions headphones But until 2009, there was not a single product on the market that could deliver the ideal music to the patient, during surgery, through cordless, pre-loaded headphones. In 2008, Surgical Serenity Solutions was awarded a U.S. Patent on the concept of having pre-loaded headphones for surgery patients for the specific purpose of reducing anxiety, pain perception and possibly the amount of medication required. In 2009 Surgical Serenity Solutions.started selling the headphones to patients.

Over the past 4-5 years we have shifted our focus from providing our headphones primarily to patients and instead, are now introducing them in larger quantities, to hospitals. Our dream is that most hospital systems will have the headphones waiting for the patients on the morning they arrive for surgery, or colonoscopies/endoscopies. Even labor and delivery suites, and ICUs are utilizing the many benefits of soothing music through headphones for patient who is anxious and fearful about their outcomes.

If YOUR hospital is interested in getting pre-loaded headphones in the OR, the ICU, the ER, or Labor and Delivery, click here to get prices and information on how they work. Each order of 12 or 20 headphones comes with 50 pair of disposable ear-piece covers and you can purchase more, as needed!

MP3 Player with Jazz Playlist and hospital branding And now, we have a new delivery device for our 5 therapeutic playlists! We are now offering small MP3 players that are already pre-loaded with the playlist of your choice. Hospitals can purchase these in bulk and GIVE them to patients after their procedure. To learn more click HERE.

Give your patients the patient experience they deserve and create a safer experience as well!

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