Comparing the effects of muscle relaxation and music therapy on anxiety among candidates for coronary angiography: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Coronary angiography is associated with some levels of anxiety. Anxiety in turn can cause different complications, and hence, interventions are needed for its management. Recently, nonpharmacological therapies for anxiety management have gained great attention. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of muscle relaxation and music therapy on anxiety among candidates for coronary angiography. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 105 candidates for coronary angiography. Participants were consecutively recruited from the cardiology wards of Namazi hospital, Shiraz, Iran, and were randomly assigned to three 35-person groups, namely music, relaxation, and control groups. Participants in the music and the relaxation groups received 20-min music therapy and were performed 20-min muscle relaxation. Anxiety level was assessed both before and after the interventions using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed through the Chi-square test, the paired-sample t-test, and the one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean score of anxiety in the relaxation and the music groups significantly reduced from 51.08 ± 6.98 and 49.02 ± 7.74 at the baseline to 41.88 ± 5.16 and 44.28 ± 5.21 at posttest (P < 0.01); however, it did not significantly change in the control group (P = 0.081). Conclusion: Both muscle relaxation and music therapy are effective in significantly reducing anxiety among candidates for angiography