TITLE:
Can music improve the symptoms of stable angina? A randomized controlled trial
AUTHORS:
Samitha Siritunga, Kumudu Wijewardena, Ruwan Ekanayaka, Premadasa Mudunkotuwa
KEYWORDS:
Music; Indian Classical; Stable Angina; Canadian Classification of Angina; GTN; Complementary; Symptoms; Severity
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.6,
June
11,
2013
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). 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.