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Labor

Poster Session 2

(418) Effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety levels among women undergoing induction of labor

Tuesday, February 13, 2024
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM  
Location: Prince George's Exhibit Hall CDE, Lower Atrium Level
Objective: Induction of labor (IOL) can trigger anxiety and fear due to its prolonged process and uncertainty. Music therapy, an evidence-based intervention, has demonstrated potential in reducing anxiety during medical procedures. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of music therapy in alleviating anxiety among women undergoing IOL.

Study Design: This prospective study (2021-2023) included term pregnant women undergoing IOL using PGE2 vaginal pessary, between 12:00PM-3:00PM. Participants were assigned to either the music group, having a 45 minutes music therapy session by a certified therapist starting one hour after IOL began, or the control group, without music therapy. Anxiety levels were measured using the State(S)-Trait(T) Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire (scale 20-80), anxiety and visual analogue stress (VAS) scores (scale 0-10) and salivary cortisol levels (in a subgroup of patients), before and immediately after the music therapy session.

Results: A total of 89 women participated, with 49 in the music group and 40 controls. Maternal characteristics as marital status, education, religion, income and obstetric history were similar between the groups, as well as STAI-T scores representing general trait anxiety. Before intervention, STAI-S scores representing situational anxiety, were higher in the music group (46+11 vs. 39+10.4, p=0.004). Cortisol levels, anxiety scale scores, and VAS scores were comparable between groups. After the music therapy, there was a significant reduction in salivary cortisol levels, STAI-S, anxiety and VAS scores, in the music group compared to control: mean delta -0.08+0.07 µg/dL vs +0.04+0.18 µg/dL, p=0.032; mean delta -13.6+8.4 points vs -2.8+6.7 points, p< 0.001; mean delta -2.6+2.2 points vs -1.2+2.1 points, p=0.004, mean delta -0.9+2.1 points vs +0.7+1.2 points, p< 0.001, respectively. These results remained significant after adjusting for confounders (p<0.02).

Conclusion: Music therapy effectively reduces anxiety levels among women undergoing IOL. Implementing music therapy during IOL may serve as a non-invasive approach to improve birthing experience.