Shp1900

An Intel Core® laptop computer with a 15-in. monitor (HP Pavilion, China; refresh rate = 60 Hz) and headphones (Phillips SHP1900, China) were used for the experiment for all of the participants. The experiment was run using E-Prime 2.0 (Psychology Software Tools Inc., Pittsburg, PA) in a quiet and dimly lit room. The participants sat approximately 60 cm from the monitor screen.
The participants’ responses were obtained by means of a modified computer keyboard that consisted of a flat panel with two response foam buttons located above and below a rest platform (see Figure 3). The distance between the two response buttons was 15.7 cm and the rest platform was located at the same distance with respect to each of the two buttons, on the left side of the response board.
Figure 3.

Experimental setup. (a) Participants had to place their hand on the starting position, a platform located between the two response buttons. (b) Participants responded whether a probe pitch was higher or lower (in pitch or loudness) than the reference tone.

The patients were randomized into two groups: music group (group M, n = 60) and control group (group C, n = 60). Only patients in the music group put on headphones (Philips, SHP1900) enclosing the ears, preventing patients from hearing the voices and noises inside the operation room. The intensity of the music sound was set at a level (65 decibels with a standard sound level meter) in which patients would feel comfortable when asked. During the whole operation, all the patients in the music group listened to relaxing indigenous and foreign music (pop, arebesk, jazz, alaturka, classical, ethnic, MMP-3078) by a mp3 (Mpeg-1 Audio Layer 3) device according to their preferences, until the anesthetic gases are initiated. Classical music was chosen by the anesthesiologist for the patients who did not show any specific preference (Fig. 2).Figure 2

The application of music therapy under general anesthesia.