Introducing a music programme to reduce preoperative anxiety.

Abstract

The anticipation of surgery has been recognized as a stressful event that produces anxiety for most patients (Kapnoullas 1988). Even minor surgical procedures can produce anxiety in patients; this in turn can affect their postoperative recovery and lead to a risk of physiological complications (Swindale 1989). Thus, preoperative anxiety is identified as one of the common nursing diagnoses or problems for surgical patients.