This randomized controlled study aims to investigate the effects of ney music listening, a traditional Turkish wind instrument, on pain, anxiety, sleep quality, and vital signs in patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive a 15-minute ney music session at three different time points: preoperative (on the day of surgery), postoperative 3rd hour, and postoperative day 1. The control group will receive standard postoperative nursing care without music intervention. Data will be collected at the same time points in both groups using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I), Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and vital signs. The study seeks to evaluate the non-pharmacological benefits of therapeutic music in postoperative recovery.

Lumbar disc herniation is a common spinal disorder that often requires surgical intervention when conservative treatments fail. Although surgery can alleviate nerve compression and reduce pain, many patients continue to experience postoperative pain, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and altered physiological parameters, all of which negatively impact recovery. For this reason, complementary approaches such as therapeutic music have gained attention as supportive strategies in postoperative care.

This randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effect of ney music listening, a traditional Turkish musical practice, on postoperative pain, anxiety, sleep quality, and physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation) in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. The ney, a reed flute used in classical Turkish music, has been associated with calming and meditative effects, potentially supporting recovery processes.

The intervention group will listen to recorded ney music for 15 minutes in a quiet and dimly lit environment via headphones. The music selection will consist of instrumental compositions in Rast and Nihavend maqams, known for their soothing and relaxing tonalities. Sessions will occur at three specific time points:

Preoperative (the evening before surgery)

Postoperative 3rd hour (after transfer to the clinic)

Postoperative Day 1 (before bedtime)

In each session, pain (measured with the Visual Analog Scale - VAS), anxiety (measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I), sleep quality (Richard-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire), and vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, and SpO₂) will be assessed before and after music listening in the intervention group.

The control group will receive routine postoperative care without any music intervention. However, outcome measurements will be collected at the same intervals and using the same tools to enable comparison.

The study hypothesizes that listening to ney music may serve as an effective, non-pharmacological method to enhance postoperative comfort by reducing pain and anxiety, stabilizing physiological parameters, and improving sleep quality. The results are expected to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the integration of music therapy into clinical nursing practice, particularly in surgical settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having undergone lumbar disc surgery under general anesthesia

  • 18 years old and over,
  • At least 3 hours have passed from the analgesic administration,
  • Patients willing to participate in the study will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is applied,

  • Over 70 years old,
  • Using anxiolytic and sedative drugs,
  • Having a psychiatric illness,
  • Patients with communication barriers will not be included in the study.