Evaluation of the effect of Mozart music on pain and respiratory rate after thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: Pain has always been a major concern in postoperative care. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Mozart music on postoperative pain and physiological parameters in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. METHODS: Patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to a music group or a control group. The music intervention was applied immediately after surgery, whereas the control group received only usual care. Measurements of pain perception and physiological parameters were performed before, during, and after the music intervention in the music group and at the same time points in the control group. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale. RESULTS: In a study population of 50 patients, a higher rate of decrease in pain was observed in the music group after the first 10 min of the music intervention compared to the control group (estimate = - 1.329; 95% CI [- 2.490, - 0.169]). Music also reduced respiratory rate by 1.31 rates/min more in the music group than in the control group at every assessment point (95% CI [- 2.171, - 0.451]). Changes in the remaining physiological parameters were not statistically significant between the music and the control group and within each group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the use of music during immediate postoperative care after thyroidectomy could accelerate pain relief and lead to a greater decline of respiratory rate compared to that achieved in usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04699084, 30/12/2020.

Peripheral artery disease and antiplatelet treatment.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and its prevalence is alarmingly increasing in modern societies. PAD shares common characteristics with the other atherosclerotic diseases but involves specifically the arteries of the lower extremities. Apart from the changes in lifestyle, antiplatelet agents are the hallmark of the treatment and improve the symptoms as well as the progression of the disease. Aspirin is the cornerstone of treatment and is administrated in doses ranging from 75 to 325mg daily. Additionally, cilostazol and clopidogrel have an important therapeutic role too. Novel antiplatelet agents are the subject of research in both experimental and clinical studies in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile. The most important antiplatelet factors which are under investigation are the novel P2Y12 receptor inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor. Furthermore, vorapaxar, a protease-activated receptor inhibitor, exhibits antiplatelet properties and has been studied in PAD.