Purpose: Music has been utilized as a therapeutic tool during colonoscopy, but various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the effect of music on patients undergoing colonoscopy.
Patients and methods: Multiple medical databases were searched (12/06). Only RCTs on adult subjects that compared music versus no music during colonoscopy were included. Meta-analysis was analyzed for total procedure time, dose of sedative medications (midazolam and mepiridine), and patients' pain scores, experience, and willingness to repeat the same procedure in the future.
Results: Eight studies (N = 712) met the inclusion criteria. Patients' overall experience scores (P < 0.01) were significantly improved with music. No significant differences were noted for patients' pain scores (P = 0.09), mean doses of midazolam (P = 0.10), mean doses of meperidine (P = 0.23), procedure times (P = 0.06), and willingness to repeat the same procedure in future (P = 0.10).
Conclusions: Music improves patients' overall experience with colonoscopy.