Meditation music improved the quality of suturing in an experimental bypass procedure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgeons are vulnerable to additional noise in their natural operating environment. Noise exposure is associated with reduced cognitive function, inability to concentrate, and nervousness. Mediation music provides opportunity to create a calmer environments which May reduce stress during surgery. METHODS:A pilot study was performed to find suitable task, meditation music of surgeon's choice, operation noise and to reach a certain level of training. For the main experiment, two neurosurgeons with different microsurgical experience used real operation noise and meditation music with delta waves as mediating music. Each surgeon performed 10 training bypasses (5 with noise and 5 with music) with 16 stitches in each bypass. The total time to complete 16 stitches, number of unachieved movements (N.U.Ms), length of thread consumed and distribution of the stitches were quantified from the recorded videos and compared in both groups. RESULTS:The N.U.Ms were significantly reduced from 109 ± 38 with operation room (OR)noise to 38± 13 (p< 0.05) with meditating music in novice surgeon. Similar results were found if the experienced surgeon performed the same task [(from 29± 6.94 to 14 ± 3.36 (p< 0.05)]. The total time utilized for the sixteen stitches was slightly improved (not significantly) in novice surgeon and unchanged in experienced surgeon. However, the thread length used for 16 stitches was significantly different with OR-noise in comparison to meditating music in both surgeons. The distribution stitches showed a non-significant trend towards a uniform distribution with meditation music in both surgeons. CONCLUSIONS:Meditation music of surgeon's choice is a simple method that improved quality of bypass suturing in experimental bypass procedure.

Developing microsurgical milestones for psychomotor skills in neurological surgery residents as an adjunct to operative training: the home microsurgery laboratory

“…We recommend early introduction at level 1 of a holistic program for both the cognitive and technical/psychomotor acquisition of the skill set required for safe, successful microsurgery. This includes a meditation or yoga technique to instill the cognitive tools necessary for performing under conditions of stress, 12 which are often encountered with challenging neurological CNS pathology associated with complex anatomical considerations. The stress reduction skill also translates to practicing conscious awareness of breathing during HML technique performance.…”

“…We strongly believe that regular meditation or any cognitive exercise of the learner's choice translate to improved performance in complex microsurgical technique acquisition and performance. 12 Meditation practice can be easily integrated with HML exercises in the privacy of the home-based learning environment.…”

Effects of Meditation for Surgeons

“…The most frequently adopted intervention was ''Mindfulness training'' (n ¼ 4) that was carried out in person (n ¼ 2) or through a mobile app (n ¼ 2). In 3 studies, the intervention consisted of meditation training and in the last 1 surgeon's choice meditation music, defined by the authors as ''delta wave meditation music,'' 11 was broadcasted during the surgical procedures. The length of the interventions varied from 1 year to 1 single practice/event.…”

Influence of musical preferences and intraoperative questions on suturing speed

“…1 Music is commonly played in operating rooms (ORs) 2,3 and has been associated with both beneficial and detrimental effects on surgeon performance. Positive effects of music on surgical performance include lower blood pressure, 4 decreased heart rate, 4 improved suture quality, [4][5][6] decreased closing times, 4,5 less suture wastage, 6 and an improvement in mood. 7 Despite these benefits, intraoperative music has been reported as a distraction for surgeons, 8 and has been associated with decreased vigilance, hindered communication, and general distraction within the OR.…”