Effect of pre-operative Om listening on patient depression, anxiety, and stress levels

Abstract

Background: There are multiple benefits when chant or listen to Om. Om listening and chanting activate brain areas such as the hippocampus and improves the neuro-cognitive parameters. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to observe the effect of pre-operative Om listening on patient depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Methods: The present study involved 24 preoperative patients in the age group of 30 to 50 years of age from the general surgery and Gynecology departments, Government Medical College, Anantapur,India irrespective of the surgery they are going to undergo. The psychological parameters were assessed using DASS 21 scale. Results: The two-tailed P-value is less than 0.0001 for depression score. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be extremely statistically significant. The two-tailed P value equals 0.0193 for the anxiety score. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be statistically significant. The two-tailed P value equals 0.0011 for the stress score. By conventional criteria, this difference is considered to be very statistically significant.Conclusion: There is a significantly decrease in the depression and stress levels but not anxiety levels followed by Om listening. However, there is a decrease in the anxiety scores. The study recommends further detailed studies with multi centers and a higher sample size to recommend the Om listening.