The efficacy of music as an adjunct analgesic in reducing pain and anxiety during ultrasound-guided manual vacuum aspiration (USG-MVA): a randomized controlled trial.

Background

Ultrasound-guided manual vacuum aspiration (USG-MVA) is one of the surgical treatment options for managing early pregnancy loss. When compared to the traditional surgical method, USG-MVA is safer, more cost-effective, due to its shorter hospitalisation period andeliminates the risks associated with general anaesthesia. The objective of this study is to evaluate music therapy as an adjunct for pain and anxiety reduction during USG-MVA and assess its impact on physiological stress and patient satisfaction.

Methods

This was a single-centre randomized controlled trial in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. This study aimed to randomize 176 women with first-trimester miscarriage requiring USG-MVA performed. Participants were randomly allocated to the music intervention group or control group receiving standard care in a 1:1 ratio. Pain and anxiety levels as well as patient satisfaction were assessed using physiological and psychological assessments. Primary outcome is pain reduction, secondary outcomes include anxiety, physiological stress and patient satisfaction.

Results

Music reduced severe pain (Visual Analogue Scale > 70) during USG-MVA (27.3% vs. 47.7%, P < 0.05) but showed no significant effects on anxiety, stress biomarkers, or satisfaction (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Music therapy effectively mitigates procedural pain during USG-MVA but does not significantly influence anxiety or satisfaction. Its low-cost, non-invasive nature supports clinical utility.