There are variations in individuals’ response to music: human
beings respond to music by demonstrating a physical
response called ‘entrainment’ (Hoffman, 1997); by playing
music written in a specific tempo, music can alter a patient’s
heart rate and contribute to the relief of anxiety and
reduction in blood pressure, arrhythmias and panic attacks
(Hoffman, 1997). Stevens (1990, p. 1045) believes that
‘music, as an aesthetic and symbolic medium, has the ability
to dispel much of the fear and anxiety associated with facing
the unknown alone’. Stevens identified the potential for music
to allay patient fears as they prepare for surgery through
patient interviews. Similarly, Hartley (2001) suggests music
plays a very powerful role in the provision of comfort for
patients