Effect of music on patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of relaxing music during colonoscopy under low-dose conscious sedation, on patient satisfaction, scope insertion time and procedure duration, medication doses, and the perceived adequacy of sedation and scope insertion difficulty on the part of the endoscopist.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-seven consecutive adult outpatients presenting for routine colonoscopy under low-dose conscious sedation were randomized to undergo their procedures either with music played during the procedure or no music played.

Results: There were no statistical differences between the two groups in terms of meperidine dose, midazolam dose, time to reach the cecum, total procedure time, endoscopist assessment of scope insertion difficulty, endoscopist assessment of adequacy of sedation, or the pain experience of the patients during their procedure. The music group did report significantly better overall procedure satisfaction as compared to the non music group on two of our three different scales.

Conclusion: While music does not result in shortened procedure times, lower doses of sedative medications or perceived patient pain, the patients who have music playing during their procedures report modestly greater satisfaction with their procedures.