# Background Music: The Missing Stress Antidote in Cadaver Dissection Laboratories

## Authors

- Izuchukwu Azuka Okafor ([ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1017-9297)) — Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, PMB 5001,Nnewi, Nigeria
- Jude Amechi Nnaka ([ORCID](https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4991-1801)) — Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, PMB 5001,Nnewi, Nigeria

## Article information

- **Journal:** The Ulutas Medical Journal (Ulutas Med J), ISSN 2149-388X
- **Issue:** Volume 6, Issue 4 (2020), pages 193–198
- **Article type:** Review Article
- **Published online:** 2020-12-16
- **DOI:** [10.5455/umj.20201004115944](https://doi.org/10.5455/umj.20201004115944)
- **Licence:** [CC BY-NC 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
- **Article page:** https://www.ulutasmedicaljournal.com/?mno=6172
- **PDF:** https://www.ulutasmedicaljournal.com/pdf/6172.pdf

## Abstract

Cadaver Dissection (CD) is a longstanding but indispensable method of teaching human gross anatomy. However, there are several kinds of stress associated with CD which could cause learning difficulties amongst students especially in poor-resource countries where standard CD laboratories are in great shortage. This review highlighted some causes of stress during CD, with a focus on Nigeria as a resource-poor setting. Also, it has proposed background music (BM) as a simple, cheap, and effective alternative that can be used to curb CD-related stress in such settings where cost-effectiveness is prioritized. The possible challenges that may be faced during the incorporation of BM into CD laboratories have also been pointed out, with important recommendations made on how to deal with these challenges.

## Keywords

Background music; cadaver dissection; stress; medical education; Nigeria

## How to cite

Okafor IA, Nnaka JA. Background Music: The Missing Stress Antidote in Cadaver Dissection Laboratories. Ulutas Med J. 2020;6(4):193-198. doi:10.5455/umj.20201004115944

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