Music therapy and Benson relaxation in postoperative care: A randomized controlled trial on pain and kinesiophobia after lumbar discectomy.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of music therapy (MT) and Benson relaxation (BRM) versus standard care (SC) alone on pain intensity and kinesiophobia in patients undergoing open lumbar discectomy.

METHODS

In a three-arm randomized controlled trial, 150 patients were assigned to MT+SC, BRM+SC, or SC alone. Interventions were applied twice daily from postoperative day (POD) 1 to 3. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale) were assessed at baseline, POD1, POD2, and POD3. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

Significant group × time interactions were found for pain (p < 0.001, partial η²=0.339) and kinesiophobia (p < 0.001, partial η²=0.436). Both MT+SC and BRM+SC led to greater pain reduction than SC at POD2 and POD3 (p < 0.001), with MT providing faster relief. For kinesiophobia, BRM+SC showed an earlier reduction by POD2, while MT+SC achieved the strongest effect by POD3 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

MT and BRM are effective, non-pharmacological adjuncts for improving postoperative outcomes. MT appears superior for faster pain relief, whereas BRM may offer an earlier benefit for kinesiophobia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20230911059401N1 (https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/), 2023-10-11.