Personal playlists may ease needle discomfort during cannula placement
Researchers at University Hospital Zürich tested music interventions in 204 patients who needed an intravenous cannula before a nonemergency MRI. Participants were assigned to hear no music, their own preferred songs, relaxation music, or Mozart's Sonata KV448. The group listening to their favorite music reported the greatest reduction in pain, suggesting personal musical choice matters for minor procedures.
The trial at University Hospital Zürich involved 204 people scheduled for nonurgent MRI scans of the brain, spine, or head and neck. Each needed an intravenous cannula for contrast dye. Participants were split among four conditions: silence, self-selected music, relaxation tracks, or Mozart’s Sonata KV448. Pain was rated on a 1-to-10 scale before, during, and at 30 seconds and two minutes after insertion.
Those choosing their own music reported the strongest benefit. This group had lower pain scores at both post-insertion checks, including among patients who already had pain. Mozart helped only those with pain before the puncture, and only at the two-minute mark. Researchers could not fully explain why later ratings improved more.
If confirmed, letting patients choose music during cannula placement could offer a simple, low-cost way to improve comfort in radiology and other minor procedures. Patients facing needles, especially those who are anxious or claustrophobic, may feel more at ease and report less pain. Clinicians might consider personal playlists alongside standard care, though music may not replace appropriate pain management. Its broader impact may depend on whether hospitals can routinely support patient-selected audio without disrupting workflow.