The Effect of Music on Colonoscopy (MUSICOL)

Background/Scientific Rationale:

Colorectal cancer is the third most common diagnosed cancer in the United States and is second only to lung cancer in number of deaths. Widespread adoption of colorectal cancer screening has resulted in earlier detection as well as reduction in mortality. Colonoscopy, compared to other methods of screening has additional benefit in its ability to prevent the development of colon cancer through removal of precancerous polyps.Besides it being considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, colonoscopy is an essential tool for diagnostic evaluation for a wide range of gastrointestinal complaints.Despite the proven success of colorectal cancer screening programs and public understanding of its importance, there remains a gap in adherence. In a recent study, about 64% of eligible patients received CRC screening within the past 10 years, which is far behind the "80% by 2018"target. Besides colonoscopy, alternative tools have been developed in an effort to improve adherence to screening including fecal immunochemical testing and fecal DNA testing. However, these tests still have low sensitivity for advanced adenomas of 24% and 42%, respectively, and lack the added benefit of colonoscopy for prevention of development of colon cancer.Patients often experience feelings of anxiety and anticipated discomfort both prior to and during the procedure; one study reported greater than 50% of patients have moderate to severe anxiety about undergoing the procedure. These concerns regarding an anticipated unpleasant experience deter some patients for whom the procedure is indicated from undergoing this valuable test.Sedation is administered during the procedure to alleviate patient discomfort, but this is associated with potential adverse effects, especially if increasing doses are required in response to increased discomfort or anxiety.Sources of patient anxiety about colonoscopy include the necessary bowel preparation,fear of embarrassment, pain, potential complications, sedation, and the potential of a diagnosis of cancer.This anxiety can increase pain perception in patients: a key predictor of pain during colonoscopy is a patient's pre-procedural anxiety level.This anxiety and pain can manifest in the need for increased sedation, increased length of procedure, and reduced patient satisfaction.One way to improve the patient experience that has been investigated is reduced volume bowel preparations. But, prior studies have also suggested that music during a colonoscopy can significantly improve patient satisfaction, reduce anxiety and pain, and reduce the total sedation medication requirement

The performance of gastroenterologists is measured by quality factors such as adenoma detection rate and adenomas per colonoscopy. A number of techniques have been studied to improve these parameters, including use of colonoscope caps and second looks on the right side of the colon and right-sided retroflexion. Additionally, prior studies have suggested improvement from music being played in the endoscopy suite. An intervention that is inexpensive and without adverse effects that can potentially improve the patient experience and as a consequence hypothetically adherence to screening programs, and improve endoscopist performance, would be expected to be widely adopted. Yet, use of music during colonoscopy is inconsistent and there are no society guidelines or recommendations regarding its use. Potential reasons for this include a sense of a lack of adequate body of evidence and inconsistency in the method of administration.The investigators aim to provide more convincing data to support or refute the benefit of music during colonoscopy to aid the decision on whether routinely offering music during the procedure should be considered a standard of care.

Objectives/Aims:

The investigators' aim is to assess whether playing music during a colonoscopy procedure improves the patient experience and willingness to undergo the procedure again(measured on a Likert scale), improves endoscopist performance (as measured by adenoma detection rate and time to reach cecum), and reduces the mean dose of sedatives required during the procedure (both midazolam and fentanyl).Secondary endpoints include reduction in pain,total procedure time, and withdrawal time.The delay between the time the procedure was scheduled for and the time the procedure actually commenced will also be measured, as long delays are a not uncommon occurrence that can separately negatively impact the patient experience and therefore this variable maybe used for post-hoc analysis. The investigators anticipate the study to take place over the course of 1 year.