New Study Shows AC/DC Makes Surgeons Faster and More Precise — As Long As It’s Played Loud

Nine times out of ten, if we’re listening to AC/DC, no one’s life should be in our hands. The Australian party rockers’ music is best suited for skulling coldies, laughing at dickheads, and occasionally driving an ATV into a pool. But according to a new study, blasting AC/DC actually helps the speed and precision of surgeons on the job.

As reported by Ultimate Guitar, a recent study at Heidelberg University in Germany showed that playing AC/DC’s music increased both speed and precision of cuts made by surgeons. Apparently, the amount of time needed to make a precision cut went from 236 seconds to 139 seconds, while an accuracy test showed a precision increase of approximately 5%.

On top of that, the effects of AC/DC were compounded when the music was played at a high volume. According to Heidelberg’s lead researcher Cui Yang, via The Sun:

“Our results show that both soft rock and hard rock can enhance surgical performance.

“For hard rock music, the positive effect was especially noticeable when the music was played in high volume.

“It is possible that music with high rhythmicity could provide a tempo to keep up the speed of the performance and thus enhance task performance.”

It should be noted that while other music was also used in this study, it had different effects. For example, The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” and “Let it Be” halved the time needed to stitch up wounds, but the minute you played them at high volumes, the beneficial effects were lost.

Anyone who’s ever listened to AC/DC at the gym probably isn’t surprised that the music can get you in the zone. Still, we urge everyone who’s laying on an operating table to offer your headphones to your surgeon and play them a little “Shoot to Thrill.” Worst case scenario, the doctor spills a little beer on your liver. Beer’s good for livers, right?