Music during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation under light sedation
Effects of Music on Pain and Anxiety During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Under Conscious Sedation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This test will see if playing music during catheter ablation helps adults having their first atrial fibrillation procedure feel less anxious and in less pain while using light sedation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Shaoxing People's Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Shaoxing, Zhejiang) |
| Trial ID | NCT06953752 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults scheduled for a first-time radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation will be assigned to receive music through headphones during the procedure or to a control condition without music while managed with conscious (light) sedation. Study staff will track patient-reported anxiety and pain, medication (sedative/analgesic) needs, procedure metrics, and any safety events. The intervention is noninvasive and simple to deliver, using standardized music protocols during the ablation. Outcomes will compare comfort, hemodynamic stability, and resource use between the groups to determine whether music can meaningfully alter patient experience or medication requirements.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 undergoing their first radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation at the enrolling center who can hear, consent, and comply with the protocol are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who require general anesthesia, have prior cardiac interventions, significant cognitive or auditory barriers, complex cardiac anatomy, or active psychiatric conditions needing medication are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce procedural anxiety and pain and lower the need for sedatives or pain medications, improving comfort and potentially reducing side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small trials in diverse surgical and procedural settings have shown music can reduce perioperative anxiety and pain, though evidence specific to AF ablation is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients undergoing first-time catheter radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation at our center according to guideline recommendations; 2. Aged 18-80 years; 3. Willing to participate in the study and providing signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Active psychiatric conditions necessitating pharmacotherapy; 2. Auditory/cognitive barriers to protocol compliance; 3. General anesthesia candidates; 4. Hybrid AF procedures (e.g., concomitant LAA occlusion); 5. Previous cardiac interventions; 6. Complex anatomies per preprocedural imaging (e.g., persistent left superior vena cava, cor triatriatum); 7. Recent (≤30 days) sedative/analgesic exposure."
Where this trial is running
Shaoxing, Zhejiang
- Shaoxing People's Hospital — Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.