Cystoscopy can be a stressful procedure. To put it mildly.
During cystoscopy a doctor inserts a tiny camera into the length of the penis/ urethra, in order to assess the urinary tract and bladder. Research has shown that binaural beats, one of the active elements in Audicin, can significantly reduce stress and discomfort during this medical intervention.
How can listening to certain sounds help stress in these kind of scenarios? And what does that mean for impact on a regular daily listener?
Each year, over 300,000 cystoscopies are carried out in England alone. This test is essential for identifying the causes of recurrent urine infections, bladder stones, pelvic pain and bladder cancer. It is also crucial for cancer remission with checks taking place every 3-6 months for up to 5 years.
Although not classed as a painful procedure, people often report physical discomfort. A significant portion of which can be reduced by addressing the stress associated with the procedure.
Stress and pain go hand in hand. When we are stressed our nervous system fires up, a classic fight or flight response. We breathe faster, our hearts beat erratically and our muscles tense. All of these responses are essential when faced with a real physical threat but they drive the pain systems of the central and peripheral nervous systems into chaos.
Furthermore, a stressed body releases cortisol. This hormone impedes healing and increases pain experiences during recovery.
Interventions that reduce stress during medical procedures like cystoscopy are the way forward to ensure good patient care and best recovery outcomes.
Binaural beats are an auditory illusion that can be embedded within soundtracks. They sound like soft beats or rhythms. And a well powered study has shown positive impacts of binaural beats for patients undergoing cystoscopy.
In this study (citation below) 352 patients rated stress and pain whilst undergoing cystoscopy and ureteral stent removal under local anaesthesia. They listened to binaural beats, classical music or wore headphones with no music.
All music reduced stress compared to just wearing headphones but the patients who heard binaural beats experienced the least pain.
The authors praised binaural beats as a simple and effective method to minimise stress and maximise pain relief.
Binaural beats are just ONE of the active ingredients in Audicin that reduce stress and regulate the nervous system while you are working. At Audicin we research data on all the elements of our audio treatments. Armed with full scientific understanding we design our sounds to be at their most effective. And medical studies demonstrate how truly powerful these sounds can be on the nervous system.
Read more
Effects of Listening to Binaural Beats on Anxiety Levels and Pain Scores in Male Patients Undergoing Cystoscopy and Ureteral Stent Removal: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial (2021)
Mahmut Taha Ölçücü, Kayhan Yılmaz, Kaan Karamık, Yahya Okuducu, Çağatay Özsoy, Yasin Aktaş, Serdar Çakır, and Mutlu Ateş. Journal of Endourology, 35:1, 54-61
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