Binaural Music Study

Principal aim of the study: To investigate whether the experience of mammography-related pain can be improved by listening to binaural music prior to the examination.

The research aims to improve patient experience for patients undergoing annual mammography with moderate or high risk of breast cancer. These patients can commence annual mammography at 40 years of age until entering the National Health Service Breast Screening Program (NHSBSP), (NICE, 2013). Reduction in pain or anxiety for these patients may improve compliance, reduce DNA rates which is a cost saving to the NHS.

Previously, mammography-related pain scores have been evaluated within the study institution in these groups of women by measuring pain using a VAS/NRS pain tool three times; before, immediately after and 1-week post mammography. The results of this study showed that expectation of pain by the patient was the only significant predictor for pain r=0.79. Breast size, compression force, menopausal status and breast density were not found to be significant indicators for pain (Nelson et al., 2018).

One of the action points for this research was to repeat the study within the introduction of a series of pain interventions to improve pain scores for all patients in the low, moderate and severe pain categories.

f. Methodology The feasibility study will be a prospective, randomised controlled trial enabling comparisons based on current pain measurements, for patients attending family history screening at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. If the results are significant then a larger scale study across 2-3 sites is planned.

The patient information sheet (PIS) will be posted with the appointment letter and the patients will have 2 weeks to read the letter and contact the researcher with any questions or concerns prior to their mammogram appointment.

Allocation to the group will be randomised prior to mammogram by selection using an online randomisation tool until the sample size is reached for each group (control, non binaural music, binaural music). The patients will be asked to participate in the study and will not know which group they are in until instructions are given just prior to the examination. The control group will be asked to score their pain before and after routine mammography without actively listening to music.

The patient will be asked to self-evaluate their pain from their most recent previous mammogram from memory using a validated 11-point numerical scale where zero = no pain and 10 = the worst pain. The patient will then be asked to score their pain following their current mammogram and this will be recorded on a second validated 11-point numerical scale (Yale 2018). The information will be recorded by the mammographer for improved consistency and scanned into the radiology information system as a permanent record. The same mammographer will perform the mammograms to standardise technique, the compression given will remain at her discretion. Music will be standardised and played using personal headphones for 5 minutes prior to mammography

Inclusion criteria

• Bilateral mammogram.
• Asymptomatic patients only.
• Patients attending for family history follow up mammography.
• Patients that have had a mammogram within 2 years at the trust to compare to on the same equipment.
• Patients with language barriers if an interpreter or relative is available.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with mammography elsewhere including screening units or in the private sector.

Family history patients having their 1st mammogram. Patients with breast implants. Patients with inability to consent due to mental incapacity. Patients with hearing impairments Patients with a history of epilepsy Patients with ongoing mental health illness Patients with heart arrhythmia and pacemakers Patients taking prescribed pain medication