The effect of natural sounds on the anxiety of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background This study aims to investigate the effect of natural sounds on the anxiety of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods In this clinical trial, 90 patients, who were candidates for CABG in an urban area of Iran, were selected and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups by the minimization method. In the intervention group, natural sounds were broadcast through headphones for 30 min. In the control group, headphones connected to a silent device were used. The research instruments were a demographic questionnaire and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). These were used before the intervention, 30 min after the music, and before the surgery in the waiting room for both groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results The mean anxiety level of the intervention group has been found to be significantly lower than that of the control group half an hour after the intervention as well as in the waiting room in the preoperative period (p = 0.001). Moreover, the mean anxiety of the intervention group decreases, while it increases for the control group over time (p < 0.001). Conclusion Natural sounds can be used as a non-pharmacological way to reduce the anxiety of patients undergoing CABG. Trial registration IRCT2017011723190N3, Registered 1 March 2017.