Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of non-steady-state noise on pain, anxiety and stress levels in patients waiting for coronary angiography. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical records of 310 patients who had undergone coronary angiography in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2023 and September 2024. Patients were categorised into the low-noise group (noise level < 50 dB, n = 167) and high-noise group (noise level ≥ 50 dB, n = 143) on the basis of the average noise level during waiting. The general information, numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, state anxiety inventory (SAI) score and stress indicators (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate) were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to evaluate the correlation of noise level with pain, anxiety level and stress indicators of patients. RESULTS: The high-noise group exhibited significantly higher average non-steady-state noise levels, peak noise levels, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate compared with the low-noise group before undergoing coronary angiography (P < 0.05). The NRS scores after coronary angiography and SAI scores before coronary angiography were significantly lower in the low-noise group than in the high-noise group (P < 0.05). The NRS score (r = 0.152, P = 0.007), SAI score (r = 0.119, P = 0.037), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.128, P = 0.024), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.116, P = 0.041) and heart rate (r = 0.122, P = 0.031) were positively correlated with noise levels. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence suggesting that non-steady-state noise in angiography waiting areas may significantly affect pain, anxiety and stress levels before coronary angiography. By reducing noise, healthcare providers can improve patient care and potentially alleviate the overall burden of stress and anxiety associated with medical procedures.