Soundproof headphones alleviate orthopedic surgery discomfort

Editor's Note:

Soundproof headphones may improve physiological indices and decrease length of stay in the PACU for orthopedic surgery patients under spinal anesthesia, according to a study published January 4 in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing.

Aiming to investigate the effect of wearing soundproof headphones during orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia, the study examined 184 patients selected through convenience sampling. Patients were then randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group, which had soundproof headphones on their ears during surgery, and the control group. Researchers measured physiological indices at five different points in time, as well as the length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Notable results include:

•  Mean changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in the intervention group (P < .02 and P < .005) at two of the time points.
• Mean changes in heart rate were significantly lower in the intervention group (P < .003, P < .01) at four time points.
• The respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were both significantly higher in the intervention group (P < .001, P < .03, P < .002, P < .008) at four time points.
• The two groups also had significant differences (P = .004) in terms of the length of stay in the PACU, which was shorter in the intervention group.

Researchers note that patients undergoing spinal anesthesia remain awake and may hear noises that lead to discomfort during orthopedic surgery. Based on these results, they recommend soundproof headphones as an easy way to improve their experience.