Playing classical music during operations makes surgeons faster and more accurate

New Delhi – Surgeons’ performance can be significantly improved by listening to classical music in the operating theatre, new research from Dundee University reveals. The study, published in the International Journal of Surgery, found that listening to classical music can boost doctors’ performance by up to 11 per cent.

Procedures were also completed ten per cent quicker with music in the background. The study says, classical music reduces stress levels and helps surgeons focus, as well as reduce patients’ anxiety.

Patients also needed fewer painkillers or anaesthetic while music was playing.

According to the research, music is already commonly played in operating theatres.

Contrastingly, loud or high-beat music can be distracting and was even found to trigger an increase in post-operative infections.

The total and significant outcome of the present study was that the positive effect of music on surgeons’ task performance, overrides its negative effect.