Effect of therapeutic suggestions during general anaesthesia on postoperative pain and opioid use: multicentre randomised controlled trial

RCT (n=385) suggests therapeutic suggestions through earphones (audiotape, background music & positive suggestions based on hypnotherapeutic principles) during general anaesthesia could provide a safe, feasible, inexpensive, & non-drug technique to reduce postop pain & opioid use

SPS commentary:

Compared with the control group (blank tape), the intervention group required a lower opioid dose within 24 hours after surgery with median of 4.0 mg morphine equivalent vs. 5.3 mg (p=0.002) and number of patients who needed opioids postoperatively was also reduced (p=0.001): 121 of 191 (63%) vs.155 of 194 (80%).

British Medical Journal