Heart Rate Variability and Music Listening

Conditions studied

Heart Rate Variability, Anxiety, Depression

About this study

High anxiety levels may lead to negative outcomes, and previous studies have shown that music listening could reduce periprocedural anxiety and depression. Recent evidence suggests that a lower heart rate variability (HRV) may be associated with anxiety and depression disorders, but the association of these HRV parameters with preoperative mood in the procedural settings are less defined. In this prospective cohort pilot study, the study team will investigate the association between HRV and psychological vulnerability (anxiety, depression) in the presence of music listening before procedures. A total of 120 patients about to undergo procedures (surgery, procedures) will be recruited in three healthcare institutions in Singapore (KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital). Patients will be asked to have their ECG readings recorded before, during, and after music listening. Preprocedural information (e.g., demographic, clinical) and psychological scores will be collected.

Interventions

• Device: Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor — A novel AI-based risk stratification algorithm incorporated into portable platform will be used to monitor and measure patient's ECG, blood pressure, SpO2, and HRV parameters. The platform comprises a tablet application that the clinicians interface with, and coupled with a patient monitoring device with the app that received the real-time patient vital signs to be processed. It requires only a 5-minute 12-lead ECG recording and provides a diagnostic report and risk score on major adverse cardiac events in patients with chest pain complaints. The device is approved as a Class C Medical device by Health Science Authority Singapore for clinical use in Singapore. Three ECG samples for HRV data will be recorded before, during and after music listening, with a sampling rate of 1000Hz, 5-10-minute duration in the supine position and breathing spontaneously to minimise influence from external factors.
• Other: Music listening — Patients will be given a mobile phone to choose their preferred music to be played during surgery. The music list contains songs across pre-saved playlists spanning different music genres compiled by the institution's music therapist to ensure adequate coverage of the various music genres and to promote relaxation and serenity.

Primary outcomes

• Preoperative Heart rate variability (HRV) before, during and after music listening - root mean square of successive differences NN intervals (rMSSD) (1 day)
• Preoperative Heart rate variability (HRV) before, during and after music listening - low frequency (LF)-HRV (1 day)
• Preoperative Heart rate variability (HRV) before, during and after music listening - High Frequency (HF)-HRV (1 day)
• Preoperative Heart rate variability (HRV) before, during and after music listening - LF/HF ratio (1 day)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
• KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
• Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore