Music listening for anxiety relief in children in the preoperative period: a randomized clinical trial.

Only 52 of 96 randomly allocated children were analysed, from 113 assessed. The study reports a 54% sample loss rate, with many losses in the music group because children did not tolerate the chosen music or the 15-minute duration; the average time tolerated by dropouts was 8 minutes. The research team was not masked, although children and statisticians were masked; control children also received music after measurements. No interobserver reliability analysis was carried out for the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale. Usual waiting-room distractions, including toys, television, family and other children, were not controlled, and the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. Hearing status was based on parent or guardian report rather than a hearing test. The age range was broad, from 3 to 12 years, and the selected songs may not match children's preferences. The results sentences report significance tests but not the actual mean scores.

Do not conclude that 15 minutes of music alone reliably reduces preoperative anxiety in all children. The study was a small pilot, many children dropped out, the research team was not masked, and the children also had usual waiting-room care with toys, television, family and other children.