Cataract Patients Relax to a Soothing Beat, Study Says

Audio therapy may reduce anxiety during this common procedure.

MONDAY, Nov. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Playing soothing sounds during cataract surgery reduces patients' anxiety, according to a new study.

Researchers assessed the effects of binaural beat audio therapy, which consists of two tones that are each pitched at a specific, slightly different frequency. Each tone is delivered to a separate ear via headphones.

This technique triggers alpha-frequency brainwaves, which are linked to relaxation and reduced perception of fear and pain, the researchers say.

For the study, the researchers divided about 140 cataract surgery patients into three groups. One group listened to binaural beats mixed with soothing music and nature sounds, another group listened to music only, and a control group did not receive any audio therapy.

Patients who listened to the binaural beats/music mix before, during and after cataract surgery had less anxiety and a slower heart rate than those in the control group. Patients in the binaural beats/music mix group and the music-only group had much lower blood pressure than those in the control group.

The study was scheduled for presentation Monday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Chicago.

"As populations in many parts of the world grow older, it's increasingly important for ophthalmologists to explore new ways to improve patient care for seniors," study leader Dr. Pornpattana Vichitvejpaisal, of Chiang Mai University in Thailand, said in an academy news release.

"Our study shows significant emotional and physiological benefits from adding binaural beats to music therapy for cataract surgery patients," Vichitvejpaisal said. "This provides a simple, inexpensive way to improve patients' health outcomes and satisfaction with their care."

More than three million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States, and the procedure is one of the most common worldwide. The surgery is typically done using local anesthesia with the patient awake. The procedure involves replacing the eye's cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens implant.

Previous research has found that binaural therapy helps reduce anxiety in patients undergoing general surgery.

Data and conclusions presented at medical meetings are typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

More information

The U.S. National Eye Institute has more about cataracts.