HEALTH : Reassuring Tapes Ease Pain

LONDON — A study published today found that patients who listened to soothing tapes during surgery required less pain relief during recovery.

Fifty-seven women undergoing hysterectomies at two hospitals in Glasgow, Scotland, wore personal stereos into the operating room, researchers reported in the current edition of the British Medical Journal.

Half of the women were played blank tapes and the others listened to positive statements during the operation.

Doctors found that the women who listened to the tape playing soothing remarks--including “Everything is going very well, we’re very pleased with your progress,” and “Any pain that you feel after the operation will not concern you”--used 23% less morphine while recovering than those who were played blank tapes. The patients could not recall hearing any sounds during surgery.