Music can help patients recover from surgery. Doctors played flute music to a patient. Before her operation, doctors gave the patient drugs. The drugs blocked pain signals and relaxed the woman. However, she could still hear music. This means she needed fewer painkilling drugs. She woke up faster after her surgery.

A doctor explained that music wasn't just background music. It helped patients need fewer painkillers. A music therapist said music was important in the operating theatre. She wants patients to "wake up clear-headed, alert… and ideally pain-free" after surgery. She said music helped control pain and reduce stress.