Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #182

Primary Student Contact First Name: KARINA
Primary Student Contact Last Name: ATIENZA
Pronouns: She/Her
Primary Student Contact FSU Student Email: kla15c@fsu.edu
Photo of all individuals presenting this work: https://pc.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/research_portal/9030/Screenshot%202026-01-26%20at%202.35.36%E2%80%AFPM.png
Major(s) of all individuals presenting this work: Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Bio of all individuals presenting this work:
Ijeoma Anyanwu, Karina Atienza, and Jerry Jacob are Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice students who have completed their clinical training in the South Florida area. Through their clinical experiences, they developed a strong interest in patient advocacy and improving their perioperative experience. Their research focuses on the use of music therapy to reduce preoperative pain and anxiety, inspired by a shared commitment to incorporating holistic, patient-centered approaches into anesthesia care. Outside of their academic and professional pursuits, Ijeoma enjoys spending quality time with her family and reading fiction novels. Karina enjoys exploring local coffee shops and outdoor walks. Jerry enjoys spending time with his family and his mini–Australian Shepherd, JoJo. 

Poster Title: Implementing Staff Education to Promote Music-Supported Strategies for Perioperative Anxiety and Pain Reduction ​
Abstract:
Preoperative anxiety is common among surgical patients and is linked to hemodynamic instability, increased anesthetic needs, and delayed recovery. Although benzodiazepines are traditionally used to treat anxiety, their side effects highlight the importance of safe, non-pharmacologic options. Music therapy has been shown to effectively reduce perioperative anxiety, improve physiological stability, and increase patient satisfaction according to multiple randomized controlled trials. Despite this evidence, its adoption in anesthesia practice remains limited, often due to gaps in provider awareness and education. 

This quality improvement project assessed whether an educational intervention could enhance anesthesia providers’ knowledge, perceptions, and willingness to integrate music-supported strategies into perioperative care. Out of 50 invited individuals, 27 responded, and 14 completed both surveys. Pre-intervention results showed varied baseline familiarity with music therapy, although all participants recognized it as a safe, non-pharmacologic modality with measurable physiologic benefits. Post-intervention findings indicated improved knowledge, more positive perceptions of effectiveness, and a greater likelihood of applying music therapy in clinical settings. Participants also expressed strong confidence in its ability to reduce anxiety, improve patient satisfaction, and smoothly integrate into existing workflows. 

Overall, the educational intervention successfully reinforced evidence-based benefits, boosted provider confidence, and fostered positive attitudes toward implementing structured music therapy protocols in the perioperative setting. These findings support ongoing educational efforts to encourage wider adoption of non-pharmacologic anxiety-reduction strategies.  

Research Mentor Name: Stacey A. VanDyke, DNP, APRN, FAANA, CRNA
Research Mentor's College (or High School): Florida State University
Research Mentor's Department (or Subject): Nurse Anesthesia Program
Research Mentor's Email: svandyke@fsu.edu
Additional Research Mentor(s): Scott Stewart, DNAP, CRNA
Co-presenter(s): Ijeoma Anyanwu, Jerry Jacob
Keywords: music therapy; preoperative;  anxiety reduction strategies
Poster Session/Number: {Empty}
Work: Complete
Presentation Modality: Synchronous Online Presentation
Poster PDF: https://pc.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/research_portal/9030/Anyanwu%2C%20Atienza%2C%20Jacob%20Presentation%20Board_1.pdf
Poster Thumbnail: https://pc.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/research_portal/9030/Screenshot%202026-01-26%20at%202.46.22%E2%80%AFPM_0.png
I will be printing my poster: No
Year: 2026
Annual description: 5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025
Update URL: https://pc.fsu.edu/student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?element_parents=elements/student_photo&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=1FarRlyiGulWhXWqSBpWVhMsCOGHR7K2bXzFQWTjTLM
{Empty}