Abstract Aim: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is a commonly used method to break down kidney stones in urology clinics. This study aims to investigate whether or not listening to music is effective against state anxiety in patients undergoing kidney stone treatment with this method. Methods: A total of 80 patients (50 males, 30 females) undergoing extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for the first time at our clinic were included in the study. The first group (24 patients) listened to instrumental classical music through headphones 20 minutes before the procedure, while the second group (28 patients) listened to instrumental classical music during the procedure. The third group (28 patients) was the control group and consisted of patients who did not listen to music before or during the procedure. Patients were administered a state-trait anxiety inventory test to measure state anxiety after the process, and their results were compared. Results: While there was a significant difference in state-trait anxiety inventory scores between patients who listened to music before/during the procedure and the control group, there was no significant difference between patients who listened to music before and those who listened to music during the procedure. Assessment of randomisation showed groups achieved homogeneity. Conclusion: Among the groups homogeneously distributed according to age and gender, significantly lower anxiety scores of groups that listened to music compared with the control group have provided supporting data to be open-minded and exploratory about increasing patient tolerability and comfort during these potentially pain-inducing procedures. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. PubMed Disclaimer Similar articles Effect of Different Musical Types on Patient's Relaxation, Anxiety and Pain Perception during Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A Randomized Controlled Study. Çift A, Benlioglu C. Urol J. 2020 Jan 26;17(1):19-23. doi: 10.22037/uj.v0i0.5333. PMID: 31953834 Clinical Trial. Reduced Pain and Anxiety with Music and Noise-Canceling Headphones During Shockwave Lithotripsy. Karalar M, Keles I, Doğantekin E, Kahveci OK, Sarici H. J Endourol. 2016 Jun;30(6):674-7. doi: 10.1089/end.2016.0005. Epub 2016 Feb 24. PMID: 26910438 The effect of music therapy during shockwave lithotripsy on patient relaxation, anxiety, and pain perception. Akbas A, Gulpinar MT, Sancak EB, Karakan T, Demirbas A, Utangac MM, Dede O, Sancaktutar AA, Simsek T, Sahin B, Resorlu B. Ren Fail. 2016;38(1):46-9. doi: 10.3109/0886022X.2015.1096728. Epub 2015 Oct 13. PMID: 26458741 Complementary approaches to decreasing discomfort during shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). Ngee-Ming G, Tamsin D, Rai BP, Somani BK. Urolithiasis. 2014 Jun;42(3):189-93. doi: 10.1007/s00240-014-0655-2. Epub 2014 Mar 20. PMID: 24648110 Review. Music for reducing the anxiety and pain of patients undergoing a biopsy: A meta-analysis. Song M, Li N, Zhang X, Shang Y, Yan L, Chu J, Sun R, Xu Y. J Adv Nurs. 2018 May;74(5):1016-1029. doi: 10.1111/jan.13509. Epub 2017 Dec 21. PMID: 29171070 Review. See all similar articles References REFERENCES Preminger GM, Tiselius H-G, Assimos DG, et al. 2007 Guideline for the management of ureteral calculi. Eur Urol. 2007;52:2418-2434. Gaussy C, Schmidt E, Jocham D, et al. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for treatment of urolithiasis. Urology. 1984;23:59-66. Wang Y, Chang X, Li J, Han Z. Efficacy and safety of various surgical treatments for proximal ureteral stone ≥10mm: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Int Braz J Urol. 2020 Nov-Dec;46:902-926. Argyropoulos AN, Tolley DA. Evaluation of outcome following lithotripsy. Curr Opin Urol. 2010;20:154-158. Aboumarzouk OM, Hasan R, Tasleem A, et al. Analgesia for patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy for urinary stones-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Braz J Urol. 2017;43:394-406.