Can music improve the symptoms of stable angina? A randomized controlled trial

Samitha Siritunga, Kumudu Wijewardena, Ruwan Ekanayaka, Premadasa Mudunkotuwa

Community Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical sciences, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Nu-gegoda, Sri Lanka.
Department of Languages, Cultural Studies University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Institute of Cardiology, National Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
National Institute of Health Sciences, Kalutara, Sri Lanka;.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.56139                

Abstract

Worldwide, the leading cause of death is ischemic heart disease. Other than medical and surgical management, alternative therapy such as relaxing music has been identified as having an impact on reducing morbidity in ischemic heart disease. Although several studies have been conducted to find out the impact of music on pain, anxiety, heart rate and stress in myocardial ischaemia, literature on the long term impact of music on severity of symptoms associated with stable angina is very sparse. Therefore, the whole purpose of this study was to determine the long term effects of Indian music on severity of symptoms in patients with stable angina. Methodology: A single blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients of 45 to 65 years of age with stable angina. Intervention group (n = 30) listened to a music based on Indian classical system at home twice a day complementary to their regular treatment for a period of one month. Control group (n = 30) was only on their usual treatment. Both groups were assessed prior and one month after the study period for severity of symptoms based on Canadian classification of angina guidelines and their treatment. Results: Severities of symptoms (timing of the chest pain, chest pain during walking and climbing a staircase, the effect of chest pain in day to day physical activities, frequency and the number of GTN used per week and frequency of consultation a doctor for chest pain) were significantly improved in the study group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) after intervention. However, the control group did not show any significant changes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Systematically, regular listening of music based on Indian classical system significantly improves the severity of the stable angina symptoms. Hence music has a potential benefit in considering for use as complementary to angina treatment in reducing morbidity.

Keywords

Music; Indian Classical; Stable Angina; Canadian Classification of Angina; GTN; Complementary; Symptoms; Severity

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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