Effects of music therapy in patients with diabetic retinopathy undergoing pan‑retinal photocoagulation.

Pain scores were significantly lower in the music therapy intervention group compared to the control group.

• Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during treatment and 5 minutes after treatment.
• The difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
• 116 patients with diabetes were assigned to experimental or control groups, out of which 59 patients completed the intervention.
• The intervention consisted of listening to pre-recorded three-phase classical music combined with audiovisual education, while the control group received only audiovisual education.

State anxiety was significantly lower in the music therapy intervention group compared to the control group.

• Anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
• Measurements were taken 15 minutes before and 5 minutes after treatment.
• The difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
• No adverse events occurred during the intervention.

Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group.

• Blood pressure was measured using an Omron electronic sphygmomanometer 15 minutes before and 5 minutes after treatment.
• Both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
• No significant differences in heart rate were observed between groups.

No significant differences in heart rate were observed between the music therapy and control groups.

• Heart rate was measured as a secondary physiological outcome using an Omron electronic sphygmomanometer.
• Measurements were taken 15 minutes before and 5 minutes after treatment.
• Unlike blood pressure outcomes, heart rate did not differ significantly between groups (p ≥ 0.05).

Patient satisfaction was high in both groups, with the intervention group rating staff education content and service attitude significantly higher than the control group.

• Post-treatment satisfaction was evaluated using a study-specific, self-developed questionnaire comprising six items rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
• The intervention group rated staff education content and service attitude higher than the control group (p < 0.05).
• No other between-group differences in satisfaction items were observed.
• Music acceptability was reported as favorable in the intervention group.

Participants were allocated to groups using a quasi-experimental, time-based non-random allocation method to minimize cross-contamination.

• Patients attending on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were assigned to the intervention group, while those attending on Tuesday afternoons formed the control group.
• This time-based allocation was designed to minimize cross-contamination and facilitate implementation in routine practice.
• 116 patients with diabetes were initially assigned, with 59 patients completing the intervention.
• The study was conducted in the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.

The music therapy intervention consisted of a three-phase structure of pre-recorded classical music combined with audiovisual education.

• The three-phase classical music was pre-recorded and played during the procedure.
• The intervention was combined with audiovisual education, which was also provided to the control group as usual care.
• The intervention was described as a nonpharmacologic approach targeting procedural pain and anxiety during pan-retinal photocoagulation.
• No adverse events occurred during the intervention, indicating the approach was safe.