Intervention
’ AVD system
Participants were instructed not to take any anxiolytics within 24 h of surgery. Both intervention groups received the same standard of care for anaesthesia, surgical preparation, and medication. Randomisation took place in the operating room, minutes before surgery. During surgery, the AD group used over-the-ear adjustable headphones (Philips SBC HP200) to listen to their preferred type of music on Spotify or YouTube, with the volume controlled by the investigator. Patients in the AVD group did not have freedom of choice for preferred content. They all watched and listened to a Dutch wildlife documentary about the nature reserve ‘Oostvaardersplassen’ in the Netherlands, entitled ‘De Nieuwe Wildernis’ (the New Wilderness; a video having received several awards [Patient undergoing surgery wearing the ‘HappyMed®’ AVD system in the operating room. Photo taken with consent of all involved