Music even had beneficial effects if the patients were under general anaesthetic. The research, carried out by scientists at Queen Mary University, London, found that patients were in less pain, were less anxious and even needed less pain relief after surgery if they listened to music before, during and after their operation.

The results were published in The Lancet – and the lead author of the study, Dr Catherine Meads, herself found music to be beneficial when she was recovering from hip surgery – specifically Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon .

Dr Meads said she was surprised to discover that music had a beneficial effect even when the patient was under anaesthetic.

“Music is a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive intervention that can be delivered easily and successfully.”