Impact of Preferred Music on Laparoscopic Task Performance and Mental Workload in Novice Surgeons

NCT07738848 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: USM/JEPeM/KK/24070566
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This single-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of different auditory environments on laparoscopic task performance and mental workload among novice surgeons in a simulated setting. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: preferred music, white noise, or silent control. Participants completed standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks. The primary outcome was task completion time. Secondary outcomes included mental workload assessed using the Surgical Task Load Index (SURG-TLX), perceived stress, and heart rate variability. The study aimed to determine whether preferred music enhances technical performance while reducing cognitive workload during laparoscopic simulation.

Conditions

Laparoscopic Surgery Simulation; Mental Workload; Stress; Psychomotor Performance

Keywords

Preferred Music; White Noise; Laparoscopic Simulation; Simulation Training; SURG-TLX; Heart Rate Variability; Surgical Education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Laparoscopic task completion time

  Time required for participants to complete the standardized laparoscopic simulation task under the assigned auditory condition (preferred music, white noise, or silent control). Task completion time was recorded in seconds using the laparoscopic simulator's timing system.

  Immediately upon completion of the laparoscopic simulation task (Day 1).

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• SURG-TLX score

  Immediately after completion of the laparoscopic simulation task (Day 1).

• Heart Rate Variability

  Baseline (before simulation) and immediately after completion of the laparoscopic simulation task (Day 1).

• Perceived Stress Score

  Baseline (before simulation) and immediately after completion of the laparoscopic simulation task (Day 1).

• Technical Performance Score

  Baseline (before randomization) and immediately upon completion of the intervention laparoscopic simulation task (Day 1).

Study Arms (3)

Preferred Music

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks while listening to their own self-selected preferred music through headphones throughout the simulation session.

Behavioral: Behavioral: Preferred Music

White Noise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks while listening to standardized white noise through headphones throughout the simulation session.

Behavioral: White Noise

Silent Control

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks under standard silent conditions without any auditory stimulus.

Behavioral: SIlent Control

Interventions

Behavioral: Preferred Music BEHAVIORAL

Participants listened to their own self-selected preferred music through headphones while performing standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks. The music was chosen by each participant before the simulation and played continuously throughout the intervention session. The simulation protocol, task instructions, and assessment procedures were identical for all study groups.

Preferred Music

White Noise BEHAVIORAL

Participants listened to standardized white noise through headphones while performing standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks. The white noise was played continuously throughout the intervention session. All simulation tasks, instructions, and assessment procedures were identical to those used in the other study groups.

White Noise

SIlent Control BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed the standardized laparoscopic simulation tasks under a silent environment without exposure to any auditory stimulus. All simulation tasks, instructions, and assessment procedures were identical to those used in the intervention groups.

Silent Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• House officers or novice medical doctors
• Previous exposure to surgical posting with basic laparoscopic experience
• Able to understand study procedures
• Willing to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Hearing impairment
• Visual impairment affecting simulator use
• Physical disability affecting laparoscopic performance
• Current use of medications affecting autonomic nervous system function
• Declined consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Officer, Department of Surgery, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three parallel groups: preferred music, white noise, or silent control. Each participant completed the standardized laparoscopic simulation task under the assigned auditory condition only.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 23, 2026
• First Posted: July 31, 2026
• Study Start: March 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

MY (1)