Surgery with music now recommended at Mayo Clinic

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN is one of the most highly esteemed medical facilities in the world. Imagine how thrilled I was to find that they strong recommend the use of healing music for patients having open heart surgery. Here is what they said: Patients scheduled for heart surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester will receive a brochure on the Healing Enhancement Program when they are admitted to the hospital. The brochure lists the healing enhancement therapies that are available. Patients and their family members are encouraged to discuss these complementary therapies with their cardiac medical team to determine which therapies may provide benefits during which treatment segments: prior to, during, or after patients' surgical procedures. Patients and families can select the therapies and coordinate with designated nurses to schedule the services. Therapy options include: •Massage •Music therapy •Relaxation therapies •Prayer What they suggest specifically for music is: Music Music therapy is a widely accepted and easily accessible method to promote relaxation and reduce tension, stress and anxiety. Because listening to music helps patients relax and feel less tense, it helps decrease pain, improve patients' moods and promote better sleep. Research on the effectiveness of music therapy dates back to the 1920s, when a study reported individuals' blood pressure dropped when listening to music. Currently, our program is conducting a research study to measure the effects of music therapy on pain, anxiety and tension. As part of the Cardiovascular Surgery Healing Enhancement Program, rooms for cardiac surgery patients have music systems. A selection of CD music is available at each cardiac surgical unit. We encourage patients to bring their own preferred music. Selections on hand include easy listening, relaxation, classical, country, and instrumental. Contemporary music with sounds of nature, such as birds chirping and water flowing, is also available. Music systems include AM/FM radios. Needless to say, I will be contacting them THIS WEEK about my wireless/cordless pre-loaded headphones for surgery!