Ambience in the endoscopy room has little effect on patients

With hopes of alleviating discomfort and improving the tolerance of patients undergoing endoscopy, we have assessed the influence of various background conditions in the endoscopy room. Two hundred twenty-one candidates for upper endoscopy were randomly allocated to four groups, each with one of the following conditions in the endoscopy room: background music and conversation related to the patient's complaints (n = 50); background music and conversation unrelated to the patient (n = 53); background music only, with the staff maintaining silence (n = 49); and complete silence (n = 47). Before endoscopy patients answered a 26-item questionnaire that included an evaluation of their degree of anxiety before the examination. Conscious sedation was induced by using 3 mg midazolam. After complete recovery from sedation, patients answered another set of questions. Patients in all four groups felt quite comfortable with the atmosphere in which gastroscopy was performed. Neither music, conversation, nor silence had a great effect on patients as far as improving tolerance or diminishing anxiety. Therefore, endoscopists and nurses may have a free hand in choosing the prevailing conditions during the examination. This conclusion may be valid for both patients and the staff involved in other invasive procedures performed under light sedation.