The effect of music listening on the initial mobility level of pediatric patients undergoing appendectomy: A randomized controlled trial

This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effect of music listening on the initial mobility level of children who underwent appendectomy. The study was conducted at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Pediatric Surgery Clinic, between March and May 2025. A total of 68 children aged 6–18 years, with no other systematic diseases and who consented to participate, were included. The music group consisted of 34 children and the control group of 34. A specially designed music pool, tailored separately for 6–11 and 12–18 age groups, was developed through child interviews, expert opinions, national education materials, and evidence-based motivational music. Children in the music group listened to music postoperatively, while the control group received only standard clinical care. Data were collected using the Child Information Form, Patient Mobility Scale, and Observer Mobility Scale. Ethical approval, institutional permission, scale usage rights, and informed consent from children and parents were obtained. Data analysis was performed using frequency, percentage, Cronbach's alpha, independent t-test, Shapiro-Wilk Test, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation analysis. Results showed that the average mobility scores significantly decreased in the music group, while no change was observed in the control group. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p < 0,05). Based on these findings, it is recommended that nurses incorporate music listening to facilitate early mobilization in children following appendectomy.