Using music to reduce anxiety during hand surgery

Music Interventions During Wide-Awake Hand Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · University of Wisconsin, Madison · NCT05472909

This study tests if letting patients listen to their favorite music during hand surgery can help reduce their anxiety compared to listening to standard relaxation music.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment170 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (other)
Locations1 site (Madison, Wisconsin)
Trial IDNCT05472909 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines whether patients experience lower anxiety levels during wide awake hand surgery when listening to their choice of music compared to standardized relaxation music. Participants will be randomized to either listen to their preferred music genre or standardized relaxation music while undergoing surgery. The study aims to enroll 170 participants, who will be involved for a duration of two weeks. The research seeks to determine the impact of music choice on anxiety levels during the surgical procedure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled for wide awake local anesthesia hand surgery.

Not a fit: Patients under 18, those unable to consent, non-English speakers, or individuals with significant hearing impairments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce anxiety for patients undergoing wide awake hand surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that music can effectively reduce anxiety during surgical procedures, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (18 years of age or older) patients
* Undergoing Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) hand surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients under the age of 18
* Patients unable to consent for themselves
* Patients unwilling to consent
* Non-English speaking patients
* Patients with significant hearing impairment not able to be corrected with assistive devices

Where this trial is running

Madison, Wisconsin

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Anxiety, Surgery, wide-awake hand surgery, music intervention, patient care

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.